"The upper end of the rudder is the head of it. The tiller is set in the rudder-head, and is simply a lever for turning the rudder. The bow of the boat is called the head. If you put the helm--that is, the tiller--to starboard, what will be the effect upon the head, Archie?"
"It will turn the head," replied Archie thoughtfully.
"Turn it upside down, or turn it like a lunatic's! Which way will it turn the head when you put the tiller to starboard?" demanded Thad.
"It won't turn it upside down: it will turn it to one side," added Archie seriously.
"I should say that it would; but it is rather necessary to know to which side it would turn it."
"It would carry the head of the boat the opposite way, I should think."
"But you must know. Which is the opposite way?"
"To port; and if you put the helm to port"--
"One thing at a time, if you please. Put the helm to starboard, and it carries the head to port: that's enough. If you try to remember any thing more, Archie, you will forget the whole. As I said before, the terms weather and port are also used."
"What is the use of those terms when we have starboard and port?" asked Con.