s not steer himself. The man who steers is called the
helmsman. There he is."

So saying, the gentleman pointed toward the stern of the ship where
there was a sort of platform raised a little above the deck, with a row
of panes of glass, like a long narrow window, in front of it. Through
this window Rollo could see the head of a man. The man was standing in a
recess which contained the wheel by means of which the ship was steered.

"The pilot keeps a lookout on the paddle box," continued the gentleman,
"watching the changes in the channel, and also the movements of the
vessels which are coming and going. When he wishes the helm to be put to
the right, he calls out _Starboard_! When he wishes it to be put to the
left, he calls out _Port_! And when he wishes the ship to go straight
forward as she is, he calls out _Steady_!"

Just then the pilot, from his lofty lookout on the paddle box, called
out, "_Port_!"

The officer on the deck repeated the command, in order to pass it along
to the helmsman, "_Port_!"

The helmsman then repeated it again, by way of making it sure to the
officer that he had heard it and was obeying it, "_Port!_"

There were two or three dashing-looking young men walking together up
and down the dock, and one of them, on hearing these commands, called
out, not very loud, but still in such a manner as that all around him
could hear, and imitating precisely the tones in which the pilot's order
had been given, "_Sherry!_"

Whereupon there was a great laugh among all the passengers around. Even
the stern and morose-looking countenance of the officer relaxed into a
momentary smile.

"Now look forward at the bows of the ship," said the gentleman, "and you
will see her change her course in obedience to the command of the pilot
to port the helm."

Rollo did so, and observed the effect with great curiosity and pleasure.

"I thought the captain gave orders how to steer the ship," said Rollo.

"He does," said the gentleman, "after we get fairly clear of the land.
It is the captain's business to navigate the ship across the ocean, but
he has nothing to do with directing her when she is going in and out of
the harbor." The gentleman then went on to explain that at the
entrances of all rivers and harbors there were usually rocks, shoals,
sand bars, and other obstructions, some of which were continually
shifting their position and character, and making it necessary that they
should be studied and known t