train which is entirely without parallel in the records of marine
architecture."

The Steam turned a laugh quickly into a roar up the fog-horn. "What
massive intellects you great stringers have," he said softly, when he
had finished.

"We also," began the deck-beams, "are discoverers and geniuses. We are
of opinion that the support of the hold-pillars materially helps us.
We find that we lock up on them when we are subjected to a heavy and
singular weight of sea above."

Here the Dimbula shot down a hollow, lying almost on her side; righting
at the bottom with a wrench and a spasm.

"In these cases--are you aware of this, Steam?--the plating at the bows,
and particularly at the stern--we would also mention the floors beneath
us--help us to resist any tendency to spring." The frames spoke, in
the solemn awed voice which people use when they have just come across
something entirely new for the very first time.

"I'm only a poor puffy little flutterer," said the Steam, "but I have
to stand a good deal of pressure in my business. It's all tremendously
interesting. Tell us some more. You fellows are so strong."

"Watch us and you'll see," said the bow-plates, proudly. "Ready, behind
there! Here's the father and mother of waves coming! Sit tight, rivets
all!" A great sluicing comber thundered by, but through the scuffle and
confusion the Steam could hear the low, quick cries of the ironwork as
the various strains took them--cries like these: "Easy, now--easy! Now
push for all your strength! Hold out! Give a fraction! Hold up! Pull in!
Shove crossways! Mind the strain at the ends! Grip, now! Bite tight! Let
the water get away from under--and there she goes!"

The wave raced off into the darkness, shouting, "Not bad, that, if it's
your first run!" and the drenched and ducked ship throbbed to the beat
of the engines inside her. All three cylinders were white with the salt
spray that had come down through the engine-room hatch; there was white
fur on the canvas-bound steam-pipes, and even the bright-work deep below
was speckled and soiled; but the cylinders had learned to make the most
of steam that was half water, and were pounding along cheerfully.

"How's the noblest outcome of human ingenuity hitting it?" said the
Steam, as he whirled through the engine-room.

"Nothing for nothing in this world of woe," the cylinders answered, as
though they had been working for centuries, "and precious little for
seventy-five pound