"The others don't. A new hand is always apt to move the tiller too much. To move the tiller, or wheel, very little at a time, is to steer small. Move it gradually, and note the effect upon the boat's head." Ash Burton took his place at the wheel; and, as he had had some experience in steering a boat with a tiller, he did very well. In fact, he was competent to handle a boat, though he had picked up his knowledge himself. But he did not boast of his skill, and wished to learn more. "I always take an object on the shore, and steer for it, when the boat is going free," said he. "I do, whether she is going free, or not," added Thad. "If I am close hauled, I watch both the sail and the object. When a fellow is steering, he ought to give the closest attention to the business he has in hand; and it isn't a bad rule to follow, whatever he is doing. If the helmsman doesn't mind what he is about, he keeps the boat yawing and staggering, like a man who has taken too much whiskey. I don't like to see a boat going that way. If she is kept steady, she not only makes her course better, but she gets along faster." "I am running for the point," said Ash. "Then, you may make too much northing. You should always take an object to windward of the point you want to reach, for the boat will always get in more or less leeway; though it don't make much difference when you have a free wind. But you can steer well enough, Ash. Let Ben Sinker try his hand at the wheel." "I don't believe I can do it," replied Ben modestly. "I never tried to steer a sail-boat." "Then, you are just the fellow we want. Take an object on the shore near the south side of the mouth of the river," continued the skipper. "There is a cow," added Ben. "Better take a train of cars on the railroad: it moves faster, and you would fetch up somewhere, though it might be on the bottom of the lake. Not an object that moves, or can move, my lad. Take that highest tree," replied Thad, as he pointed to it. Ben took his place at the wheel, and fixed his gaze on the tree, which Ash had used for his mark. In a moment the boat was off the course; and the new hand, anxious to set her right, pulled the wheel about half way round. The skipper said nothing, for he wanted his pupils to learn by experience. The sail began to shake, as the Goldwing came up into the wind. Ben immediately put the wheel the other way: the sloop came back to her course, and then began to fall off. "Steer small, Ben: that's what's the matter. You have her almost before the wind; and it won't do to let her go any farther round, for the sail will bang over to the other side," interposed the skipper, giving the wheel a turn. "You will send us all to the bottom at that rate." "I told you I didn't believe I could do it," replied Ben, not a little mortified at his ill success.