fluid conduit 78 j with hydraulic fluid provided by assist pump 72 operation of compensation valve 74 in this manner effectively amplifies the torque input hydraulic steering system 10 through steering wheel assembly 32 to provide a predetermined level of gain or power assistance compensation valve 74 may be configured to provide an incremental level of power assistance where the fluid output through fluid conduit 78 j is proportional to the position of rotor portion 80 b compensation valve 74 may also be configured to provide a variable level of power assistance where the amount of supplemental fluid supplied to drive member 68 through fluid conduit 78 j is varied depending upon the position of rotor portion 80 b a first alternate embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated in fig4 hydraulic steering system 10 u2032 is substantially similar to hydraulic steering system 10 described above except that control system 34 u2032 includes only the load sensor signal from steering valve 66 to compensation valve 74 u2032 consequently hydraulic steering system 10 u2032 may provide a predetermined level of gain or power assistance but cannot monitor the relative relationship between steering wheel assembly 32 and the position of rotor portion 86 b to actively compensate for any discrepancies in the rotational position of steering wheel assembly 32 those skilled in the art should understand that hydraulic steering system 10 preferably functions in a manner similar.