They went below and laid the matter before the Captain. In spite of his sufferings he became deeply attentive. He asked Thornton this question:
"How are you goin' to find the position o' the schooner now? I've lost her reckonin'."
"I'll take a chronometer sight right away, and another two hours from now, and work out the position by astronomical cross-bearings—Sumner's method, I think you sailors call it."
"Can you work Sumner's method?"
"Certainly, with sun, moon, or stars."
"Then you know more navigation than I do," said the Captain.
"It's nothing but applied astronomy, you know," said Thornton, "and I've always been studying astronomy."
"You go ahead and see what you can do, my boy," said the Captain. "Let Bowers, the mate, handle the schooner, and you tell him which way to steer."
Thornton went at once to the chronometer and set his watch by it. Then he went on deck with the Captain's sextant in his hand, and the crew stopped work to stare at him. He had a short talk with Bowers, who explained the situation to the men.
"If the Captain says it's all right," said one of the men. "I s'pose it is."