The muscular effort was not hard, but Lister's face was wet with sweat, and when he was slow and the engine-room rang with the clash of machinery his heart beat.

The big columns that held the cylinders rocked; crank and connecting-rod spun too fast for him to see.
There was a confusing flash of steel and a daunting uproar.
For the most part, he was able to get control before the stern came down.

Moreover, he was not using full steam; to let her go would swamp the boat and wash the men off the laboring hulk.

Lister knew the rope held because he felt the heavy drag.

Although she rolled and plunged, there was no life in _Terrier's_ movements.