Page:The Days Work (1899).djvu/112

 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! Holdout! Give a fraction! Hold up! Pull in! Shove crossways! Mind the strain at the