"True," said the Donkey Engine. "An anchor can't be made to ank unless you chuck him overboard." The company roared at this, but Findlayson never cracked a smile. "That is very true," he said. "In fact, how could an anchor ank, as you put it, without being lowered into the sea?" "It's a bad case," observed Bulwark Plate, in a whisper, to the Upper Deck Plank. "It floors me," said the Plank. "I don't think he'd laugh if his uncle died and left him a million." "Shut up," said the Donkey Engine. "We've got to do it or bust. Let's try again." Then he added, aloud, "Say, Technicalities, did you ever hear that riddle of the Starboard Coal Bunker's?" The company properly had not. "Well, the Starboard Coal Bunker got it off at Lady Airshaft's last reception at Binks's Ship-yard: 'What's the difference between a man-o'-war going through the Suez Canal under tow of a tug-boat and a boiler with a capacity of 6000 tons of steam loaded to 7000 tons, with no safety-valve, in charge of an engineer who has a certificate from Bellevue Hospital showing that he is a good ambulance-driver, but supports a widowed mother and seven uncles upon no income to speak of, all of which is invested in Spanish fours, bought on a margin of two per cent. in a Wall Street bucket-shop conducted by two professional card-players from Honolulu under indictment at San Francisco for arson?'" "Tutt!" said the Rudder. "What a chestnut! I was brought up on riddles of that kind. _They can't climb a tree._" "Nope," said the Donkey Engine. "That's not the answer." "You don't know it yourself," suggested the Funnel. "Nope," said the Donkey Engine. "Well, what the deuce is the answer?" said Findlayson, irritably. "Give it up--the rest of you?" cried the Donkey Engine. "We do," they roared in chorus. "I'm surprised at you," said the Donkey Engine. "It's very simple indeed. The man-o'-war going through the Suez Canal under tow of a tug-boat has a pull--and the other hasn't, don't you know--eh?" Findlayson scratched his forehead. "I don't see--" he began. "There is no reason why you should. You're not feeling well," interrupted the Donkey Engine, "but it's a good riddle--eh?" "Quite so," said Findlayson. "It's long, anyhow," said the Screw. "Which we can't say for to-day's run--only 867 miles?" suggested the Donkey Engine, interrogatively. "It's long enough," growled the Screw. "It certainly is, if it is reckoned in minutes," retorted the Donkey Engine. "I never knew such a long day." And so they continued in an honest and technical effort to restore Findlayson. But he wouldn't laugh, and finally the Screw and the Centrifugal Bilge Pump and the Stringers and the other well-meaning Technicalities rose up to leave. Day was approaching, and all were needed at their various posts. "Good-night--or good-morning, Findlayson," said the Donkey Engine. "We've had a very pleasant night. I am only sorry, however, we cannot make you laugh."