But there was nothing to do, for any one except Ash at the wheel; for the skipper had not stationed the crew for tacking. He had not had time to do so. The lower block of the main-sheet ran on a traveller, which is an iron rod set a couple of inches above the taffrail, or piece across the top of the stern. The ring under the block plays freely, or travels on it, from one side to the other. As the wind carries the sail and boom over, the sheet-block follows it. Of course, the sheet is trimmed so the boom may be at the right angle with the keel, on whichever tack the boat may be.
Dory explained the working of the sheet, and gave the names of the parts of the rigging used. He took hold of the jib-sheets himself, and gave the order to put the helm to port. As the sails began to shake, he cast off the lee-sheet, and passed over to the other side of the standing-room.
"Hard a-lee!" he continued, which meant that the helm was to be put down as far as it would go.
The Goldwing came about handsomely, as she always did under fair treatment: the boom went over to the starboard. The skipper then hauled in the port, which had become the lee, sheet, as the sail went over. The breeze was lively, and the boat worked quickly.
"Meet her, Ash," said Dory; and the helmsman threw the wheel over till he could feel the pressure of the water on the rudder as the sails filled.
"What do you mean by 'meet her'?" asked Archie.
"The helm was hard down when I gave that order," replied the skipper. "If it had remained in that position, it would have been hard up after the sails filled, and the sloop would have continued to swing around till she was before the wind; and it would take time to get her back to her proper course. As soon as the boat begins to catch the wind on the new tack, the helm must be shifted to meet her. When the boat was on the starboard-tack, all the pressure of the water was on the weather-side of the rudder, as the Goldwing carries a weather-helm. As soon as the boat begins to swing, this pressure is removed. There is none to speak of on either side. But as soon as she begins to fill on the port-tack, the pressure comes on that side."
"And you feel it the instant it begins to bear on the rudder," added Ash.
"You want the sails to fill on the new tack, and she should be met with the helm before she has fallen off much beyond her proper course. In a light wind, when the boat moves sluggishly, she may fall off somewhat before she feels the pressure on the rudder."
"She isn't on any thing, and I don't see how she can fall off," said Archie, the critic.