CHAPTER IX.
Boating.
The alterations and improvements, which Forester had ordered in the boat, were completed at the time promised.

Marco said that it would require a crew of eight to man the boat properly: six oarsmen, a bowman, and a coxswain.

Marco pronounced this word as if it was spelt _coxen_.

This is the proper way to pronounce it.

It means the one who sits in the stern, to steer the boat and direct the rowers.