"If Spikeley don't start the engine, I reckon it will not start itself," suggested Percy.
"I don't believe it will."
"What are you going to do, then?"
"I am going to start it myself."
"Start it yourself! You will blow the whole thing up!" exclaimed Percy, who did not see how the same young fellow of sixteen could know how to steer, and run the engine.
"I have been on board the Bellevite a great deal of the time for the last three years, and my mother says I was born a sailor, as my father was before me. I always took a deep interest in every thing connected with the steamer."
"I should think you might, on board of such a fine vessel as the Bellevite."
"I have stood my trick at the wheel for weeks together; and the quartermasters taught me all they knew about steering, the compass, the log, the lead, and the signals."
"Those things have nothing to do with the engine," suggested Percy.
"That is very true; but, when I had learned enough in the pilot-house, I went down into the engine and fire rooms. Mr. Vapoor, the chief engineer, and I were in the same school together; and, though he is six years older than I am, we have been cronies for four years."