Yer take hol', while Ah stand by a bit." I took his place, grasping the spokes firmly, and he stood aside, watching every movement closely, as I held the speeding sloop steadily up to the wind, the spray pouring in over the dipping rail forward.
The grin on his lips broadened.
"What is the course ?" I asked curiously.
"'Cross ter dat point yonder--see, whar de lone tree stan's; we done 'round dat 'bout tree hunder' yards out, an' then go straight 'way north." "You use no chart ?" He burst into a guffaw, as though the question was a rare joke.
"No, sah; I nebber done saw one." "But surely you must steer by compass ?" "Dar is a little one somewhar on board, and Ah done ain't seed it fer mor 'n a yare, Ah reckon.

'Tain't no use enyhow.

Whut we steer by is landmarks.

Ah sure does know de Chesapeake.

Yer ever bin up de Bay ?" "Yes, twice, but out in the deep water.