Chapter 4 - A Test!
For several days Uncle Jim taught Nancy, as she now insisted on being called, and Peggy everything he knew about sailing a small boat. They learnt how to run before the wind and make best progress when tacking back against it, how to set the sail and centreboard to make Amazon perform at her best and how to cope with minor emergencies.
"Accidents and incidents will always happen . If you are well prepared for any accident, it won't be one when it happens and you can get home safely. Don't think they can't happen to you because they can and will," they were taught.
On another occasion he stressed, "An important thing is to know the limits of your ability. A wise sailor knows when to stay in port."
So they practiced reefing the sail to make it smaller when the wind was too strong, how to anchor and, very importantly, what to do if one of them fell overboard.
One afternoon when they had returned to Beckfoot Uncle Jim put a question to them. "You are fine sailing when I'm in the boat with you or watching from close by, but are you up to sailing by yourselves?"
Nancy responded at once, "Of course we are. Aren't we Peg?"
Peggy nodded but did not look quite as sure as her sister.
"Well, I'll set you a little test then."
"A test?" Nancy was immediately on the defensive.
"Yes, but not a written test like you'd get at school, but a practical test to prove that you are as good as I think you are," said Uncle Jim.
"What do we have to do?" asked Peggy.
"I'll not come up to Beckfoot tomorrow, because there is something I want to sort out in the village during the morning. Rig Amazon and sail down to join me for lunch, say at one o'clock. I'll warn cook that you'll not want to eat here, and I'll prepare something for us onboard. How about a real sailors' meal; something like salt pork and hard tack, complete with weevils?"
"Ugh. If that's all that's on offer we'll give it a miss, thank you."
"Well if you really don't fancy that I suppose I could manage to rustle up steak and kidney pudding with potatoes and peas, and perhaps chocolate sponge to follow."
"Proper food. That's more like it. Do we only have to sail down to the houseboat?" asked Nancy.
"That's the main thing, but be prepared for surprises tomorrow. Now I must be off. I ought to get some more stores in before you arrive. I'll expect you at lunchtime."
"Golly, what do you think he means by surprises?" asked Peggy as soon as they were out of earshot.
"I don't know. You what Uncle Jim's like, always being mysterious," replied Nancy. "Come on let's put Amazon to bed."
o – o – O – o – o
When Amazon was berthed in the boathouse to Nancy's satisfaction and the girls had eaten supper they again talked of what Uncle Jim might have planned for the next day.
"It won't be anything too difficult, just the sort of things he's been showing us. Using the wind correctly, and things like that," said Nancy. "One thing we must do is to have a proper captain. Without Uncle Jim one of us must be in charge." She continued.
"Why don't we take it in turns?" asked Peggy.
"Because it doesn't work like that. In a ship someone is always responsible even when they're asleep. Remember what Uncle Jim told us about the ship he was on that went aground somewhere in the China Seas and the captain was to blame although he was in his cabin."
"But Amazon belongs to both of us."
"Of course she does, we're co-owners, but she can only have one captain."
"I suppose it will be you then?"
"Of course. I'm the eldest."
"But what will I be then?"
Nancy thought for a moment. To her it was obvious that she should take charge, not only was she the elder sister but she was usually the one who thought up all the ideas and took the lead in all their adventures. In the rowing boat who was in charge did not seem to matter much but Amazon was a proper boat, and should have a proper captain and crew. At the same time she had to consider Peggy. Her sister always followed her lead and never, well, hardly ever, complained.
"You will be the mate," Nancy declared. "The mate is in charge of the rest of the crew and is the second in command. I'm sure mates can be owners too."
"Well if you're sure then, I'll be the mate."
Secretly Peggy was pleased at this arrangement. Although her sister's habit of always taking charge was a bit annoying at times, she was not yet confident enough in her ability to deal with the emergencies that Uncle Jim was hinting at for tomorrow.
