stairs of delightfully easy descent, handsomely carpeted, and a
magnificent massive handrail and balusters of gleaming aethereum. The
square opening to the companion-way was also protected by a similar
handrail and balusters, producing an exceedingly rich effect and seeming
to promise a corresponding sumptuousness of fitting in the saloons
below.

Just clear of the head of the companion staircase and leading up one
side of the pilot-house was another light staircase of open grid-work
leading to the floor above, which, at a height of seven feet, spanned
the building from side to side. This floor was also of light open
gridwork, affording easy verbal communication between persons occupying
the different stories in the pilot-house. Through this open grid-floor
could be seen various apparatus, the objects of which the new-comers
were naturally anxious to learn; and to this floor the professor
accordingly led his companions up the staircase.

The first object to which he directed attention was a long straight bar
of aethereum handsomely moulded into the form of a thick cable, and
finished off at the outer end with the semblance of a "Matthew Walker"
knot. This bar issued at its inner end from a handsomely panelled and
moulded casing which extended down through both floors of the pilot-
house, presumably covering in and protecting the mechanism with which
the bar was obviously connected.

"This," said the professor, laying his hand on the bar, "is the steering
apparatus--the tiller as you call it--of the ship. It moves, as you
see, in all directions, and communicates a corresponding movement to the
propeller--as you may see, if you will take the trouble to look out
through one of those windows."

The trio immediately did so, and saw, as the professor had stated, that
with every movement of the tiller, right or left, up or down, the
propeller inclined itself at a corresponding angle. A handsome binnacle
compass stood immediately in front of the tiller, but the professor did
not call attention to it, rightly assuming that his companions were
fully acquainted with its use and purpose.

On the professor's right, as he stood at the tiller, was an upright
lever working in a quadrant, and communicating, like the tiller--and
indeed all the other apparatus--with the interior of the ship.

"This," said the professor, directing attention to the lever, "is the
lever which controls the valves of the main engines. I have fash