“You did just right! keep the helm down!” exclaimed Dory with energy. “She is doing just as she should.”
“But I don’t see how you are going to sail with the canvas flapping like this,” added Oscar, as he put the helm hard down again.
“She is in stays now. Wait a moment, and you will see what she does,” replied Dory.
At that instant the wind caught the jib, and the schooner began to swing very rapidly. The other sails filled at the same time.
“Now right the helm and meet her,” continued Dory. “Be lively about it. Carry the tiller over till you feel a strong resistance. Over with it, before she falls off too far.”
Oscar obeyed, but he had been hardly prompt enough in his movements. The sails were brought too nearly at right angles with the wind, which caused her to careen till the new skipper’s nerves were badly shaken. A bucket of water poured in over the wash-board.
“Down with the helm, Oscar!” said Dory sharply. “The other way!” he added, springing to the tiller, and putting it hard down.
“You said ‘down’ was the other way,” retorted Oscar in a tone that indicated anger on his part.
“Now we are all right,” said Dory, laughing, as the boat came up so that the pressure was eased off the sails.
“‘Down’ can’t be both ways,” growled Oscar.