"Don't you keep a hand at the helm?" he asked.
Captain Brookes shook his head. "Not on long ocean voyages," he replied. "The ship steers herself. Like plenty of other problems, it's simple when you know how. The Olive Branch's steering apparatus is on the same principle as that of a Whitehead torpedo. The course is set by means of a pointer on the compass-card. The slightest deviation causes a small valve to be opened which actuates the rudder. Of course in confined waters or on going into action we use the steering-gear in the conning-tower."
"I can scarcely grasp the meaning of these wonders," remarked Tregarthen.
[Illustration: CHAPTER VII]
RUMOURS OF WAR
"ONE moment, sir," said Gerald as he accompanied the captain across the fo'c'sle, where a party of men were undergoing musketry exercise. "What is the meaning of that cylinder close to the muzzles of the rifles?"
"It's a silencer—the Lucas silencer, to be exact. I took a fancy to the device and acquired the patent. Mr. Ball, bring me one of those rifles, please."
The gunner brought one of the rifles for inspection. As Gerald had already noted it differed little from the Lee-Enfield type.