"So have I," added Sam Spottwood.
"Main and mizzen," followed Chick Penny, reading from his book.
Half a dozen of the students said the same thing, after consulting their notes taken on the spot.
"I have it so, sir; and I thought it was a mistake. I was going to ask you about it, but I did not get a chance to do so," said Dick Short.
"I shall have to give it up," replied the principal; "and I cheerfully acknowledge that you are right, and I am wrong. I must have said so, since you prove that I did. A person sometimes says a thing exactly opposite from what he means. I must ask you to correct the record, and write it down, that, in a vessel with two masts, the terms are fore and main. You mean a square-sail above the spanker on the mainmast of a brig; though you are not responsible for making it the mizzen, Dorset."
"Yes, sir. I saw a picture in an old book with such a sail on the mainmast," replied the student.
"I have seen such a sail once or twice in my life at sea; but it is not common, especially at the present day. The ordinary gaff-topsail, if any sail is to be set above the spanker on a brig, could present quite as much surface, and be more easily handled."
Another student raised his hand, and the principal was going to give him permission to speak, when the door of the schoolroom was opened, and Mr. Brookbine, rifle in hand, and leading Mr. Michael Angelo Spickles by the arm, marched into the room. He made his way directly to the platform where the captain stood. Of course, this arrival made a decided sensation among the students, though they did not indulge in any demonstration.
"I beg your pardon, Captain Gildrock, for bringing this gentleman here, but I could not find any one below to take charge of him while I sent for you," said the master-carpenter; for he knew that the principal did not like any thing sensational in the presence of the students.
"You are excusable under the circumstances, Mr. Brookbine," replied the captain. "Very likely the students will be glad to see the gentleman, if that is what you call him."