When you have got any thing to teach, the art consists in dividing the lesson into a great many very short steps, and letting your pupils take one at a time." Forester knew nothing about managing a boat's crew until that day, but he had observed very attentively all the orders which Marco had given, and noticed their meaning, and thus he was prepared to manoeuver the boat as far as Marco had gone in giving his orders.

He accordingly stepped into the boat and took Marco's place; while Marco himself walked forward and took his place at the bow of the boat, saying that he was going to be bowman.
"Marco," said Forester, "you say that when the order is _Attention_, the crew must be silent; what is the order when I want to give them liberty to talk again ?" "_Crew at ease_" said Marco.
"Very well.

Now, boys, when I say _Attention_, you must be still, look at me, hear all I say, and obey the orders as exactly as you can, but ask no questions and give me no advice, nor speak to one another, till I say, _Crew at ease_.

Then you can talk again.

Perhaps two or three of you will disobey, and I have no objection to that, as I should like some excuse for putting some of you ashore." Forester smiled as he said this, and every boy determined that he would not be the one to be sent ashore.
"_Attention!_" said Forester.
Forester then put his paddle into the water and paddled the boat out into the pond a little way.