The students continued to ask questions of this kind till the clock struck two, and then they were dismissed to sail the boats.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
STATIONS FOR GETTING UNDER WAY.
"My occupation is gone, like Othello's," said Thad Glovering, when the students assembled on the wharf after the lecture. "Dory can teach his own flock now."
"But I have another class for you," interposed the principal, who happened to hear the remark. "The remnant of the Nautifelers Club have decided to have their excursion on the lake, and they will remain in the vicinity of the school. They don't know how to handle a schooner, and you may make sailors of them, Glovering. You may take two of the students with you, or three."
"Corny Minkfield, Nat Long, and Dick Short, if you please," suggested Thad.
The principal assented, and the party went on board of the La Motte. The schooner was put in order, and Dory suggested that her first trip be made to obtain the hatches which had been left on the beach at Camp-Meeting Point. The new skipper set his crew at work; and, as the wind had moderated to a lively breeze, she went off under a whole mainsail and jib.
The class of unskilled boatmen, as they all were except Ash Burton, were on board of the Goldwing. Dory shoved off the sloop; and when she had drifted some distance from the wharf, he let go the anchor.
"What in the world is that for, Dory? I thought we were going out on the lake to take a lesson in sailing," said Ben Sinker.
"So we are; but I thought we would begin at the beginning," replied Dory. "It is as necessary to know how to come to anchor as it is to do any thing else in sailing a boat."
"All you have to do is to throw it overboard when you want to stop," said Archie.