One o'clock. A rainy night.
The sea air darkens on the wheelhouse.
The binnacle glows.
" Ho there, ho! "
The whole hull of The Frisco Cross ,
a twin-screw tanker, lights up.
" Who are you? "

A dry face
The chronometer tilts
" All lights burning brightly, sir. "

A little river steamer from the tariff frontiers,
twelve cabins and a white light on the masthead,
with its house flag and a freeboard of 6 " ,
boys
running with mates' receipts and bills of lading,
carries kilderkin imperial kegs and stingo firkins.

The great turbo-electric ocean liner, fire insured,
has circulating ice water swift for the belly
and anchor hooks and foreign mail.