xed at the bow, by which he can take the
depth of water under him, and a forcing-pump by which he can free
the machine at pleasure, and can rise above water, and again
immerge, as occasion requires.

"In the bow he has a pair of oars fixed like the two opposite arms
of a windmill, with which he can row forward, and, turning them
the opposite way, row the machine backward; another pair, fixed
upon the same model, with which he can row the machine round,
either to the right or left; and a third by which he can row the
machine either up or down; all of which are turned by foot, like a
spinning wheel. The rudder by which he steers he manages by hand,
within-board.

"All these shafts which pass through the machine are so curiously
fixed as not to admit any water.

"The magazine for the powder is carried on the hinder part of the
machine, without-board, and so contrived that, when he comes under
the side of a ship, he rubs down the side until he comes to the
keel, and a hook so fixed as that when it touches the keel it
raises a spring which frees the magazine from the machine, and
fastens it to the side of the ship; at the same time it draws a
pin, which sets the watch-work a-going, which, at a given time,
springs the lock, and an explosion ensues."

Thus wrote Dr. Benjamin Gale to Silas Deane, member of Congress at
Philadelphia. His letter bears the date November 9, 1775, and, after
describing the wonderful machine, he adds:

"I well know the man. Lately he has conducted matters with the
greatest secrecy, both for the personal safety of the navigator,
and to produce the greater astonishment to those against whom it
is designed; and, you may call me a visionary, an enthusiast, or
what you please, I do insist upon it that I believe the
inspiration of the Almighty has given him understanding for this
very purpose and design."

When the seine-house door had been fastened open, when Dr. Franklin
and Dr. Gale had gone within, followed by the two brothers, Mr.
Bushnell and his wife stood without looking in, and wondering in
their hearts what the sight they saw could mean; for, of the
intent or purpose of the curious, oaken, iron-bound, many-paddled,
brass-headed, window-lighted thing, they, it must be remembered, knew
nothing. It must mean something extraordinary, of course, or Doctor
Franklin would never have thought it worth his while to come out of
his way to behol