MAN AT THE WHEEL AND MAN IN THE MOON. 257

“What is that? The binnacle, we call it. It is handy, you know,
when you are steerin’, night as well as day.”

‘“ But I should think the sea in a gale of wind would wash into
those places and break the things.”

‘Oh, there are little wooden slides—don’t you see em? We clap
"em right over the binnacle, and she’s tight asa ship right after the
ealkin’ and paintin.” Then you see that bell next you? Right over
the binnacle, I mean ; and you sometimes hear it a-goin’. Jam the one
when steerin’ to watch the clock, and strike the —”

“Oh I know what that is,’ said Ralph, anxious to show that he
did know some things. “And I’ve seen a chromo —”

“A chromo? Them were very fashionable last time I was at home.”

“I mean Uncle Nat’s chromom—”

“Oh chronometer! Yes, yes, you're right,” said Jack, kindly.

“ And Uncle Nat said he’d show it about this time,” affirmed Ralph,
rather glad to retreat, and take with him his chagrin at his mistake.
A rush for Uncle Nat was now made by Rogers brothers, and they found
him in the cabin bending over his chronometer. )

“Oh boys, you here? I believe,” he said, raising his eves to the
clock, “I said I would show you my chronometer about this time.”

“Why, it is a big watch, uncle?”

“Yes, Ralph, only it keeps time much better than watches generally.
Great pains are taken with it, and the intention is to have it as
perfect as possible. You see it is put in a good, first-class box, and no
matter how much the ship rolls, the chronometer is set so as always
to stay level.”

Having seen Uncle Nat’s “chromo,” Ralph was now anxious to see
his spy-glass, and Uncle Nat very obligingly produced the shi\’s glass.

“Don’t you remember what you told us about the sun, when we
were in the steamer?”