Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/87

 own experiences in the workshop, toward which I followed my host. The place was well lighted, both walls and roof being of ualin. Near the centre was what I correctly surmised to be a forge, or blast-furnace. Close by stood anvils, and various contrivances for working in metal.

First, by the mere turning of a handle, Utis produced a roaring gas-flame,—an oxyhydrogen blast, indeed,—capable of reducing the most refractory metals to a liquid state in an incredibly short time. Under his direction I was soon busily engaged in feeding and controlling the movements of a machine for turning out large screw-bolts of a peculiar pattern. The work itself was done by the machine, yet each bolt required the exertion of a certain amount of muscular and mental effort. The temperature was somewhat above that of the previous day: it was such a day, in fact, as may fairly be expected in the middle of July. I was, accordingly, in a profuse perspiration before I had been half an hour at work. Yet as my costume consisted of only two garments, leaving both arms and lower limbs to a great extent exposed to the air, the supply of which was ample, the sensation of heat was by no means so great as I had frequently experienced under far less exertion.

"You are doing well," said Utis, after observing my work for a while. If you find this work too monotonous, you may learn to manage the lathe."

He then left me, and busied himself in turning out and fitting the nuts for the bolts. For my part, I grew so engrossed with my work, viewing with gratification the gradual diminution of the pile of material near my hand,