s and the other workmen were overdoing their unconcern. Mamise
caught sight of Sutton, lounging in violent indifference, but giving
himself away by the frenzy of his jaws worrying his quid and spurting
tobacco juice in all directions.

There was reason, too, for uneasiness. Sometimes a ship would not
start when the blocks were sawed through. There would be a long delay
while hydraulic jacks were sought and put to work to force her
forward. Such a delay had a superstitious meaning. Nobody liked a ship
that was afraid of her element. They wanted an eagerness in her
get-away. Or suppose she shot out too impetuously and listed on the
ways, ripping the scaffolding to pieces like a whale thrashing a raft
apart. Suppose she careened and stuck or rolled over in the mud. Such
things had happened and might happen again. The _Mamise_ had suffered
so many mishaps that the other ship crews called her a hoodoo.

At last the hour drew close. Davidge was a fanatic on schedules. He
did not want his ship to be late to her engagement.

"She's named after me, poor thing," said Mamise. "She's bound to be
late."

"She'll be on time for once," Davidge growled.

In the older days with the old-fashioned ships the boats had gone to
the sea like brides with trousseaux complete. The launching-guests had
made the journey with her; a dinner had been served aboard, and when
the festivities were ended the waiting tugs had taken the new ship to
the old sea for the honeymoon.

But nowadays only hulls were launched, as a rule. The mere husk was
then brought to the equipping-dock to receive her engines and all her
equipment.

The _Mamise_ was farther advanced, but she would have to tie up for
sixty days at least. The carpenters had her furniture all ready and
waiting, but she could not put forth under her own steam for two
months more.

The more reason for impatience at any further delay. Davidge went
along the launching-platform rails, like a captain on the bridge,
eager to move out of the slip.

"Make ready!" he commanded. "Stand by! Where's the bottle? Good Lord!
Where's the bottle?"

That precious quart of champagne was missing now. The bottle had been
prepared by an eminent jeweler with silver decoration and a silken
net. The neck would be a cherished souvenir thereafter, made into a
vase to hold flowers.

The bottle was found, a cable was lowered from aloft and the bottle
fastened to it.

Davidge explained to Mamise for the tenth ti