"I know you do; but you can't tell within five knots how fast the ship is going," laughed the boatswain. "Let's do it right a few times, and then you can be trusted."
The quartermaster took the glass, and Gordon, then officer of the watch, the chip, which he cast into the water over the stern of the ship.
"Turn!" said he, when the stray line had run out.
Now, Smith, at this particular moment, was watching a vessel over the quarter, and he did not instantly turn the glass, as he should have done; but Peaks said nothing.
"Up!" cried the quartermaster, when the sand had all run through the glass.
Gordon stopped the reel from which the line was running out, and noted the mark.
"Seven knots," said he.
"Not right," replied the boatswain, sharply. "This ship is going nine or ten knots an hour, and any man who has snuffed salt water for six months could guess nearer than you make it. Now try it once again, and if you don't hit nearer than that next time, you may as well throw the reel overboard, and hire a Yankee to guess the rate of sailing."
"I thought we knew all about it," added Smith.
"I think you do, young gentlemen; but you were star-gazing when you ought to have been all attention. The line ran out two or three knots before you turned the glass."