"Not a big one, but I have watched the college crews practising. What little I know I have just picked up; that's all."
"You're a mighty good picker-up, then, that's all I've got to say about it," answered the coxswain, with a short laugh.
"The battleship is making signals, sir," spoke up Dan.
"How do you know?"
"I caught the flutter of a flag up aloft."
"No need of telescopes when you are around," said the coxswain, placing a glass to his eyes.
"Recall for the gig is up," he said. "Get under way. Davis, you hold the stroke oar on the way back."
"How fast, sir?"
"About eighteen strokes to the minute for a time. We will increase it to twenty and so on up. Don't wear your men out before you get home, though."
"No, sir; I won't."