"Starboard oars—back!" said Frank. "Port oars—ahead! Give way!"
Some began to put the oars as directed in the first command, and Ben stopped them, telling them to wait for the second; and it was done over again two or three times. Of course the Zephyr whirled round like a top, and was left headed down the lake.
"The next new thing is to trail your oars, which is sometimes needed when the boat has to go through a narrow place. Sometimes trail-lines are used. They are bits of cord, say two feet long, one end made fast to the loom of the oar, and the other to the gunwale of the boat. If you let go the handle of the oar it will be dragged alongside the boat in the water; but we don't need trail-lines. To trail, the commands are, 'Stand by to trail!' and 'Trail!' At the second you will throw the loom of the oar out of the rowlock, and let it drag in the water; but you mustn't let go, or you will lose it. Now go ahead, Frank, and when the boat is making five knots give the commands to trail."
"Five knots?" repeated the coxswain.
"A knot is a sea-mile; but I mean when she is going along at fair speed."
Frank gave the orders to go ahead in proper form, and the Zephyr was soon making more than six knots an hour.
"Stand by to trail!" said the coxswain. "Trail!"
This was a simple manœuvre, and the oarsmen did it right the first time trying; but to make sure of it, the movement was again executed.
"Come about, and go up the lake again," said Uncle Ben.
"Ship your oars! Starboard oars, back! Port oars, ahead!" Frank commanded; but no one moved an oar. "Give way!" and the boat came about, the rowers laying on their oars.