"Because they would have to change places every time we tack. The lee-sheet is sometimes on one side, and sometimes on the other, as you may see for yourself," answered the skipper. "Ready about! That is simply the order for those who have any thing to do in tacking to be ready to do it; just as the military officer gives a warning 'Attention--company!' 'Shoulder--arms!' Not a soldier moves till the last word is uttered. Ready about!"
The two sheet-hands took hold of the ropes, and the helmsman was ready to move the wheel. At the command, "Starboard the helm," Ash put it down a little, and the head of the boat crawled gradually up into the wind.
"Hard a-lee!" said Dory. "Cast off all but one turn on the lee-sheet, Hop. Let go the lee-sheet!" added the skipper a moment later, when the jib shook in the wind. "Haul in on your port-sheet! Trim it down! Meet her with the helm!"
The change from one tack to the other was quickly made. The sloop worked to perfection, and the students had mastered the lesson in tacking. As they had to beat through a part of the narrow channel to the river, they had plenty of practice in a very short time.
"There is no need of all these orders after you have learned your duty. There is a sort of buncombe in using them in a small craft, or in any craft except a man-of-war. 'Ready about' should always be used. After that, on board of a ship, 'Let go and haul' is about all that is necessary, and it will do here. Let go the lee-sheet, and haul on the weather, supplies the ellipsis," said Dory, as the Goldwing came out into the river where she had more sea-room.
"I think I understand it now," added Archie.
"I think you do, all but the practice," replied the skipper. "I shall resign my office now as captain, and ask Ash to fill my place for a while. You may take the wheel, Ben Sinker; and I shall not say a word, unless you are likely to upset the boat."
Ben went to the wheel, and Ash assumed the position of skipper.
"Where shall we go?" asked the new captain.
"After you get out of the river, go up the lake, and that will be a dead beat to windward," answered Dory.