"Stand by!" said the coxswain.
"That means 'Ready!' as the sojers use the word," Uncle Ben explained. "Here at the landing, you know just what's comin' next. Go on, Frank."
"Ready! Up oars!" continued Frank, making a slight pause between the commands.
"Good!" said the old seaman. "The captain's monkey couldn't do it half as well as that!"
"Keep your seat, Ned Graham," said Tony in a low tone, when the other bowman was going to take his oar.
"Shove off!" Frank commanded while all the oars were still up in the air.
Tony and Fred Harper took the boat-hooks, and with the help of the ones next to them shoved the boat far away from the rock.
The two bow and the two stroke oarsmen elevated their oars, and the whole twelve were then in unison.
"Good!" almost shouted the teacher. "That was done beautiful! Go on, Frank."
"Stand by!" said Frank; though this warning command is not often used, but the coxswain wished to do all he could to keep the oarsmen cool and collected. "Let fall!"