Iron-, yes. Perchance you do not know the science of hydrostatics? According to her, I would build an iron ship of 7,000 tons.

– And the Trinity had more than 4,000, ’said an officer, which seemed excessive. But do not you understand that to move that mass would require a colossal rig, would not human forces able to handle it?

– Bicoca! … Oh, sir sailor, and who tells you that I would be so awkward to move the ship through the wind? You do not know me. If you know that I have here an idea … But I will not explain it to you, because I do not understand. “

At this point in his speech, D. José María gave such a lurch that stayed on all fours. But not for those shut up. Funky another officer, and was only one, which had to continue to sustain the conversation.

“What swings, ‘continued the old man. It seems as if we’re going to crash against the shore … Well, as I said, I would move that great mass of my invention by means of … You’ll never guess what you? … By means of steam. To build a machine that is singular, where steam, compressed and expanded alternately in two cylinders, wheels set in motion … as …».