Down the rock-strewn path and nearing the Black Lake, Ali checked behind him to make sure he had everyone. Spotting no stragglers, he nonetheless called out behind him to make sure. "Hurry it up, yeh lot. Firs' years, this way!"

Several of them had scrambled down the steep bank faster than himself, so they were already climbing into boats. He repeated his command, "Four per boat, now, jus' four." No one was breaking the rule, but it couldn't hurt to remind them.

"We'll wait jus' another minute for the stragglers an' then we'll head out!" he called, his voice booming forth across the still lake.