"That question came up once in the schoolroom, and the principal settled it for us. There is no dictionary-war on this word; for neither Worcester nor Webster gives any such definition as making progress to weigh, while both of them give this as the nautical meaning of way." "That settles it; but we weigh anchor," suggested Ash. "We weigh a pound of cheese; but that has nothing to do with the progress the skippers make inside of it." "As they weigh the anchor when they are going to start, I suppose that is where the error comes from," added Ash. "They couldn't very well start without weighing it; but that is no excuse for the misuse of the word. But there are plenty of words in nautical phraseology which are not used according to the dictionary and grammar, as in all the walks of life," continued Thad. "Tell us some of them," said Archie Pinkler. "If we are going out on the lake to catch those burglars, I haven't time for much of that sort of thing," replied Thad. "The ship was laying to, though no eggs were found in the water. You lay a book on the table; but when it is there, it lies, and it don't lay. When you get tired, it is not the thing to lay down; better lie down, and it will rest you more. You may lay a ship to; but when you have done it, she is lying to, as much as though she was also telling a fib. But, be ready to get under headway, for that is what we mean; and we won't lie here any longer, for the Lily is just getting off." "But the Lily lay at the wharf just now," suggested Ben Sinker, rather timidly. "But she don't now, and never does. Lay is the yesterday of lie; and that is where you mix things, Ben. Man the mainsail-halyards. Archie and Con, take the throat-halyards; Syl and Hop, the throat." "Ay, ay, sir!" replied Archie. "Don't be too nautical, my lad; and remember that two-thirds of the slang used for salt-talk is never heard on board of a vessel. Where are you going, if you please, Mr. Ay-ay-sir?" asked the skipper, when he saw Archie go over to the starboard side of the Goldwing. "I am going to man the throat-halyards, as you told me," replied Archie. "Do you expect to find them over there? Dory Dornwood rigged this sloop, and he put things in their right places," added Thad. "I know about the halyards," said Archie. "But the question just now with you relates to throat-halyards; and you have gone over to the starboard side to look for them." "That's so: I forgot about it." "Allow me to inform this crew that the throat-halyards are on the port-side of the mast. Don't try to remember where the peak-halyards are, for that will make two things to recollect. Throat-port. Only this, and nothing more. If you try to hold on to the other at the same time, you will mix them." "But a fellow wants to know where to find the peak halyards as well as the throat," suggested Con Bunker.