y. The
blast is admitted through holes in the bottom, when small powerful jets
of air spring upward through the boiling fluid mass, and the whole
apparatus trembles violently. Suddenly a volcano-like eruption of flames
and red-hot cinders or sparks occurs. The roaring flames, rushing from
the mouth of the converter, changes its violet color to orange and
finally to pure white. The large sparks change to hissing points, which
gradually become specks of soft, bluish light as the state of malleable
iron is approached."

This very brilliant process, which includes the introduction and mixture
of the spiegeleisen, may occupy fifteen minutes, when the moulds are
filled, and the steel ingots can be hammered or rolled the same as blooms
from a puddling furnace.

Mr. Bessemer explained many things, and offered many valuable
suggestions. A remark of Mr. Bessemer to George Ingram led the latter
to tell Bessemer a story which he heard in the smoking-room of the S.S.
"Campania."

"Two Irishmen once tried to sleep, but could not for Jersey mosquitoes
had entered their bedroom. Earnest effort drove the mosquitoes out, and
the light was again extinguished. Soon Mike saw a luminous insect, a big
fire-fly approaching. Quickly he roused his companion saying, 'Pat, wake
up! Quick! Let's be going! It's no use trying to get more sleep here,
there comes another Jersey mosquito hunting us with a lantern.'"

Mr. Bessemer was amused, and he ventured the assertion that when
electricity could be as cheaply produced directly from coal as the light
by the fire-fly, and successfully delivered in our great cities, the
smoke nuisance would be effectually abated, all freight charges on coal
would be saved, and coal operators could utilize all their slack at the
mines.

"Do you think this possible?" inquired Colonel Harris.

"Oh, yes, quite possible," answered Bessemer, "our necessities beget our
inventions and discoveries. Thorough investigation in the near future on
this and kindred lines must be fruitful of astonishing results in the
interests of a higher civilization." The colonel and George took their
leave. Truly the fire-fly, like the whirling hot nail, is suggestive of
great possibilities, thought George.

That evening it was planned to visit on the morrow the extensive
telegraphic works of Siemens Brothers & Co., Limited. George retired to
sleep, but his mind was never more active. On warm summer evenings he had
often held in his hand g