Page:The Indian Drum (1917 original).pdf/129

Rh to himself. Green to green' and then something about—how is it, 'Back her—back and stopper.

"That's from a lake rhyme too, but another one!" she cried. "And that's quite a good one. It's one of the pilot rules that every lake person knows. Some skipper and wheelsman set them to rhyme years ago, and the lake men teach the rhymes to their children so that they'll never go wrong with a ship. It keeps them clearer in their heads than any amount of government printing. Uncle Benny used to say they've saved any number of collisions.

"Meeting steamers do not dread,"

she recited,

"When you see three lights ahead! Port your helm and show your red. For passing steamers you should try To keep this maxim in your eye, Green to Green—or Red to Red— Perfect safety—go ahead. Both in safety and in doubt, Always keep a good lookout; Should there be no room to turn, Stop your ship and go astern."

"Now we're coming to your 'back and stopper':

"If to starboard Red appear, 'Tis your duty to keep clear; Act as judgment says is proper. Port or starboard—back or stop her! But when on your port is seen A steamer with a light of Green, There's not much for you to do— The Green light must look out for you."