ation stokers in the
boiler-room, and which would run by the hour if supplied with oil and
water. I soon learned that his skill in mechanical construction was
great. He was a member of several engineering societies, and devoted
some part of his carefully organized days to studying and keeping up
with problems in mechanics.

"Oh, that's nothing," he observed, when I marveled at the size and
perfection of the model. "I'll show you something else, if you have time
some day, which may amuse you."

He then explained that he had constructed several model warships, and
that it was his pleasure to take them out and fight them on a pond
somewhere out on Long Island.

"We'll go out some day," he said when I showed appropriate interest,
"and have them fight each other. You'll see how it's done!"

I waited some time for this outing, and finally mentioned it.

"We'll go tomorrow," he said. "Can you be around here by ten o'clock?"

Ten the next morning saw me promptly at the studio, and five minutes
later we were off.

When we arrived at Long Island City we went to the first convenient arm
of the sea and undid the precious fighters, in which he much delighted.

After studying the contour of the little inlet for a few moments he took
some measurements with a tape-line, stuck up two twigs in two places for
guide posts, and proceeded to fire and get up steam in his war-ships.
Afterwards he set the rudders, and then took them to the water-side and
floated them at the points where he had placed the twigs.

These few details accomplished, he again studied the situation
carefully, headed the vessels to the fraction of an inch toward a
certain point of the opposite shore, and began testing the steam.

"When I say ready, you push this lever here," he said, indicating a
little brass handle fastened to the stern-post. "Don't let her move an
inch until you do that. You'll see some tall firing."

He hastened to the other side where his own boat was anchored, and began
an excited examination. He was like a school-boy with a fine toy.

At a word, I moved the lever as requested, and the two vessels began
steaming out toward one another. Their weight and speed were such that
the light wind blowing affected them not in the least, and their prows
struck with an audible crack. This threw them side by side, steaming
head on together. At the same time it operated to set in motion their
guns, which fired broadsides in such rapid succession as