salute, but kept silence. At the large mahogany wheel, gently
steadying it to the quarterly roll of the sea, stood Dane, a
tall, solemn quartermaster. In spite of a little uneasiness, due
to the unfamiliar motion, Gissing was greatly elated by the
wheelhouse, which seemed even more thrillingly romantic than any
pulpit. Uncomprehendingly, but with admiration, he examined the
binnacle, the engine-room telegraphs, the telephones, the rack of
signal-flags, the buttons for closing the bulkheads, and the
rotating clear-view screen for lookout in thick weather. Aloft he
could see the masthead light, gently soaring in slow arcs.

"I'll show you my particular pride," said the Captain, evidently
pleased by his visitor's delighted enthusiasm.

Gissing wondered what ingenious device of science this might be.

Captain Scottie stepped to the weather gunwale of the bridge. He
pointed to the smoke, which was rolling rapidly from the funnels.

"You see," he said, "there's quite a strong breeze blowing. But
look here."

He lit a match and held it unshielded above the canvas screen
which was lashed along the front of the bridge. To Gissing's
surprise it burned steadily, without blowing out.

"I've invented a convex wind-shield which splits the air just
forward of the bridge. I can stand here and light my pipe in the
stiffest gale, without any trouble."