"The outer, or after, leech, called simply the leech by the high-flying yachtsmen, is the same as on the mainsail. The jib has a head and a foot also. The tack is the corner next to the stay; and the clew, as called by yachtsmen, is the after lower corner, where the sheet is attached. That's all there is of the jib. What do you call the sail marked 3 in the picture?"
"The gaff-topsail, because it is set on the gaff," replied Ash.
"It has a head and foot, and the tack and clew are in the same positions as in the jib. That makes all the sails usually set on a sloop. Now we will see how they are set and managed; and what do you call the rigging used for this purpose?"
"The running-rigging," replied all at once.
"What do you call any rope used in hoisting a sail? The principal told you some of the things I have to repeat."
"Halyards, whether attached to a spar, or to the sail itself," answered Ash.
"We will begin with the jib. The halyards lead down by the mainmast, and they are belayed on a cleat at the foot of it. The down-haul is attached to the head of the sails, as the halyards are, and leads down on the stay, sometimes passing through more or less of the hanks to keep it in place, to a block on the bowsprit, under the tack, and then inboard. It is used for hauling down the jib, as its name indicates. I suppose you all know what sheets are, and have got rid of the lubberly idea that the sails are called by this name."
"I think we all know that the sheets are ropes," added Ash.
"The jib is made fast at all points except at the clew, or at the after-clew, as some would say. By the sheets, the jib is trimmed so as to sail on the wind or otherwise. In small craft, these sheets usually lead aft, to the standing-room, or cockpit as it is sometimes called, so as to be within reach of the person sailing the boat. If there is a flying-jib, it is handled in precisely the same way."
"What is the use of a flying-jib?" asked Archie.