The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-17

a knock kneed idiot? The main sheet
is-the main sheet is the rope that nauls
down the main jib in a gale''
The ROwser cat was born and reared
almost within sound of the surf, and
she knows a thing or two about salt
water At Mr.. Bowser,s reply she fell
over as if Dead and Mrs Bowser made
such an effort to preserve. her serenity
of countenance that her hair curIed.
.sThe main sheet Mr.. Bowser." she
said, when she could control her voice.
lis the rope used to haul in or let out
the main boom on board of any vessel,
no matter what her rig"
what! What Whatr' he howled.
as he jumped up and waved the tele-
scope in the air. Woman. this is
something uncomfortable You seem to
Ike me for frst-class fool"
Not at all. You have simply got the
nautical fad, while you don't know
anything about nautical matters. For
instance. what head sail does the ordi-
nary ship carry
And you ask me that-you who
know more about dishpans and fat
irons than ships" he gasped.
eyes. 1 ask. and should like an
answer
saThey carry a jigger--jib. of course
PerhaSs you viii deny it and say they
carry a tablecloth instead?"
aThe head sails of the average sail
ing ship. Mr.. Bowser. are staysall. Jlp
Land flying jib. but on full rugged
craft they carry an outer jib as we'll
Let us turn to the dictionary again and
see if am right
Turn to nothing! Woman, what 90
Won mean by such conduct? Do you
wish to drive me from the house to-
night to get drunk at a Ealoon?'
EOf course not. but there are. certain
things that go with yachting cap ana
a telescope. and 1 just wanted to know
if YOU had them. Is the yacht YOU
think of buying provided with stand
ing keel or a centerboard?
Mr.. Bowser didn't know, and ne
simply glared in answer and wiped
avav the perspiration that was stream
@And let me ask" continued Mrs.
Bowser. whether she carries gah or
A long. steady, steely glare from the
What's her length and breadth of
beam?"
hut the look became a soft. oily smile
as he thought of something, and min
ute later he asked:
.sIust answ er me a question, please
How many masts has schooner got?..
"sTshe ordinary schooner has only
two. the same as a brig, but they have
taken to building them with three
four. five and even six masts. The rig
Of an ordinary schooner, If you wish
to know consists OF foresali. ma 4 al
fore gait. main gan, a staysah anu
two lbs
ITS that alp"
'sThat's ALL
spThen that shows all you know
about it. Where does the foreroval
| sl1ysail come in-the principal sail on
the ship?"
."There is no such sail known on any
ship of any rig, Mr.. Bowser. There are
foreroyals and slxysais. but they are
I separate sails. Shall we turn to the
dictionarv?"
The Commodore wanted to spring to
his feet and shout through his trumpet
for all hands to pull UP the foremost
by the roots and cast the cooks galley
overheard. but he caststw anchors to
windward ard held himself for mo-
ment while he asked:
Mrs Know-It-All. perhaps you can
| tell me what a scuttle-butt it ?"
II cam readily replied Mrs. Bowser.
! ssIf is a barrel dashed on deck and con-
/ tanning fresh water for the use of the
crew. may tell you at the same time
| that harness cask is a barrel or caslS
/ containing meat to be cooked as wanted
I t'And-and. bulkhead2"
ANY partition on shiphoard is called q
| bulkhead, whether in the cabin or hold