"We shall keep moving, night and day, Sim."
"Are you always going to set up all night?" he whispered.
"No; you must do it half the time. You must learn to steer, and you may as well begin now."
"But I don't know how."
"You must learn."
"I don't think I can. I ain't much at anything except hard work."
"Take the oar, Sim, and try your hand at it. I had to learn, and you must do the same."
He took hold of the oar with me, while I, in a low tone, explained to him how to manage it. I then left it to his care. As I expected, he permitted the raft to whirl around.
"I told you I couldn't do it," said he, in disgust.
"Keep trying. When you see her head going one way, put the oar in the same direction. Don't wait till she is half round, but take her when she first begins to wabble," I added, assisting him to get the raft into position again.