“We have learned some things, but I fear there are still many things for us to learn,” replied Dan, with a half smile.
“Just so. You have learned to make all the various knots that a sailor is supposed to be familiar with?”
“Yes, sir,” answered the boys in chorus.
“And belay a fall?”
“Yes, sir; we know how to take a turn on a cleat with a rope.
“Very good. Hickey, my lad, now that you know how to belay a fall, I will ask if you can pass a stopper?”
A blank expression appeared on Sam’s face, while a twinkle showed in the eyes of the boatswain’s mate.
“I—I don’t know, sir. If the stopper were good to eat I don’t think I should pass it unless I were walking in my sleep.”
The boatswain’s mate leaned back and laughed uproariously.
“Passing a stopper, my lad, means to wrap a rope about a fall while another belays it. There are a lot of these sea terms that you will learn as you go along. I see you have been assigned to the deck. What branch of the service would you prefer to be in, or haven’t you thought about the matter seriously?”