ions. He was never weary of admiring the
huge machine which did with one smooth and regular movement the work of
hundreds of strong men, obeying the slightest turn of a tiny wheel, yet
capable of tearing the whole ship to pieces should its irresistible
strength ever break loose.

And now, as they began to enter the tropics, everything grew warm and
bright. Flannels were doffed, and an awning spread over the after-deck.
The wind, though it still blew strongly, was now in their favor; and
foretopsail and mainsail, jib and spanker, were set to catch it, till
the ship staggered under her press of canvas, and careened as if about
to dip her very yards.

So passed several days, during which nothing special occurred; for by
this time everything had got "shaken into its place," and the routine of
the ship's duties proceeded as regularly as clock-work. Frank, now
restored to his place at the mess table, and high in favor with the crew
(who henceforth reserved for Monkey the cuffs and jeers formerly
bestowed upon our hero), was beginning to feel quite at home in his new
life, when it was suddenly broken by a very startling adventure.

One evening about dusk the machinery slackened suddenly, and an unusual
bustle was heard on deck. A man running past thrust an oil-can into
Frank's hand, and bade him carry it to one of the engineers upon the
starboard (right-hand) paddle-box. On deck all was confusion. Men were
rushing hurriedly to and fro, while the paddle-box itself was occupied
by an excited group of officers and engineers; and it was some time
before Frank could make out what was the matter.

An obstruction of some kind had impeded the turning of the shaft in the
"outboard bearing," which had grown dangerously hot. It was this that
had caused the "slowing down" of the engine, which could not be set
working again till the impediment was removed, and the "bearing" oiled.

Looking over the side, Austin saw a man hanging by a rope on the outer
face of the paddle-box, like a spider on its thread, and laboring
stoutly, with hammer and oil-can, to set matters to rights. Suddenly the
ship plunged, and the man disappeared into a surging wave. He rose
again, vanished a second time, reappeared once more, and again the
blows of his hammer were heard, and again the boiling whirl of foam
swallowed him up. At every plunge Death seemed to gape for him; but
drenched, gasping, and half stifled as he was, he still worked bravely
on.

On th