Christmas was drawing on apace, and the prospect7 of liberal leave demanded a "settling up" of the matter of the sea-plane as soon as possible. Having received his instructions either to salve or destroy the errant machine, Derek proceeded to Thorbury in a brand-new motor-boat fitted with a powerful paraffin engine, and capable of keeping the sea in almost any weather. Compared with the earlier motor-boats to which Derek had been accustomed, R.A.F. 21, as she was officially designated, was a ship. With sleeping accommodation for two officers and four men, and fitted with a small but efficient galley8, she was practically independent of the shore in the matter of sleeping and feeding her crew.
Rounding Thorbury Head, R.A.F. 21 very cautiously approached the coast, keeping her lead-line going continuously. At a fathom and a half she anchored. It would be unwise to proceed farther in; even then the shore was only four hundred yards away.
Manning a dinghy Derek went ashore9. It was a difficult matter, for the ground-swell10 was breaking heavily.
A brief examination of the sea-plane showed that her days were over. "Beach-combers" had already been at work, and several of the metal fittings had been stolen. It was also evident that an attempt to launch the sea-plane through the surf would meet with failure.
"She'll have to go," declared Derek to Kaye, who had accompanied him. "I'll send off for some petrol."
The crew set to work to remove the floats and dismantle11 the motor. This done, the fuselage was drenched12 with petrol and set on fire. In a quarter of an hour nothing but a few charred13 struts14 and tangled15 tension-wires remained.
Finding that it was impracticable to remove the floats—each of which weighed two hundredweight—except by land, Derek returned to make his report. His next task was to proceed by motor-lorry and bring the remains16 back to the depot17.
Laden18 with a dinghy, two coils of three-inch rope, some "internal iron-bound blocks" (otherwise large pulleys), and nine men under Derek's orders, a large motor-lorry left Sableridge for Thorbury. The day was a perfect one, and the men were in high spirits, for the "stunt19" promised to be of the nature of a picnic. In forty minutes the ponderous20 vehicle had covered the twelve miles between Sableridge and Thorbury, then further progress was barred by soft, yielding sand.
Between the lorry and the floats were first a stretch of fairly deep water forming part of Thorbury Harbour, and then three hundred yards of hummocking sand covered with coarse grass. The dinghy was unloaded, and the men and gear ferried across. Round one of the floats was passed a long rope, and all hands, tailing on to the slack, began to haul away. The result was rather surprising, for directly the heavy mass began to move half a dozen large rats scampered21 from the interior of the float.
Foot by foot, yard by yard, the float was man-hauled to the shore of the harbour, where, in sheltered water, it was launched and anchored until the second float was treated in a similar manner.
By this time the tide was ebbing22 with considerable strength, its rate exceeding five knots. The danger arose of the unwieldy craft being carried out across the bar to the open sea, and it was only by dint23 of hanging on to fifty fathoms24 of rope that the men could keep the floats in check. During these operations one of the floats capsized in the rollers that were sweeping25 in over the bar, and before it could be righted Derek and half a dozen of his men had their sea-boots filled with water.
At the nearest point to the lorry where the floats could be grounded was an expanse of a hundred yards of soft sand. All the man-power at Derek's command was unable to drag the floats up the gradually-shelving incline, nor could the lorry be brought any nearer by reason of the yielding nature of the sand.
"Proper Marathon, eh, what?" remarked Derek, wiping the perspiration27 from his forehead.
"Pity we hadn't burnt these as well," rejoined Kaye. "Already these salvage operations cannot have cost a penny less than thirty pounds, and in the end these blessed floats will be sold for as many shillings to some blighter who wants them for fishing-punts."
"Service, my impatient lad; Service with a big S!" exclaimed Derek laughingly. "The main point is, we've got to bring these wretched floats back to the depot. I'm going to try hauling them up by means of the lorry. S'pose it's man enough for the job."
Accordingly a sufficient length of stout28 rope was lashed29 round one of the floats and also to the lorry. At the signal the powerful vehicle began to move slowly ahead, and, with hardly a hitch30, the float slithered over the sand up the incline and on to the hard ground. The second float followed suit, and then came the task of loading up.
By the time the two floats, the dinghy, and the gear were piled upon the lorry there was precious little room for eleven persons, but the Royal Air Force men were not to be deterred31 by trifles. Swarming32 all over the small mountain of gear, and even perched upon the canvas awning33, they returned tired but triumphant34. At last the work of salvage was completed, although the actual amount of material recovered was but a moiety35 of the original sea-plane.
Upon entering the ante-room of the mess Derek and Kaye encountered Grainger, lieutenant36 and hydro expert. Grainger was in high spirits. His particular task was to get a hydro-glisseur into running order before he proceeded on Christmas leave, and in spite of numerous difficulties he had achieved his end.
"The priceless old thing has been running this morning," he declared. "I'm taking her for a spin up to Fisherton. Coming, you fellows?"
"Right-o!" replied Derek. "Hang on half a minute until I change my socks and sea-boots. I'm carrying about a quart of sea water in each boot, and it's beginning to feel slightly damp."
The hydro-glisseur, as its name implies, is a weird37 sort of craft that skims on the surface of the water and is propelled by a two-bladed aerial propeller38. The body consists of six floats lashed together in pairs. Credited with a speed of fifty knots, hydro-glisseurs are used for towing aeroplane targets at high speed, while air-craft hovering39 overhead try their level best to bomb the targets into fragments.
"You'll want your flying-kit, you fellows," declared Grainger, as the trio prepared for the trial trip. "Unless you want to be as deaf as posts, don't forget your helmets."
Arrayed in leather jackets, flying head-dress and fur-lined gloves—gear that took Derek's thoughts back to those seemingly far-off days at Torringham aerodrome and on the Western Front—the "glisseurs" made their way to the boat-sheds out of which the freak craft were moored40.
A few minor41 adjustments, and the powerful engine fired. Throttled42 well down, the motor was running at sufficient speed to make the propeller buzz as it cleft43 the air.
"All ready? Let go!" roared Grainger.
A touch of the controls, and the glisseur gathered way. Soon she began to lift under the enormously powerful drive of the huge propeller, until, with a deafening44 roar that could be heard for miles, the freak craft quickly worked up to a speed of certainly not less than forty-five knots.
Presently Grainger throttled down.
"There's a Boche submarine alongside Fisherton Quay46," he announced. "She came into harbour at lunch-time. I vote we go and have a look at her."
The proposal met with unanimous assent47, and a course was shaped for the place where the ex-German submarine was moored.
As the hydro-glisseur approached the quay the speed was greatly reduced. Derek could see the long, unlovely above-water outlines of the U-boat, her deck literally48 packed with people while from her mast floated the White Ensign over the discredited49 emblem50 of the badly-bruised Mailed Fist—the Black Cross of Hunland. For yards either way beyond the submarine the quay was lined with hundreds of interested spectators, for the trophy51 had been sent for public inspection52, a small charge being made, and the proceeds given to local charities.
The Mayor of Fisherton, accompanied by the members of the Corporation, was engaged upon an official civic53 welcome to the surrendered U-boat. There were aldermen and councillors in blue and scarlet54 robes, in cocked-hats and "top-hats". Their wives, sisters, cousins, and aunts helped to swell the throng55; while the gorgeously-attired mace-bearer and the portly town-crier, with his silver-plated bell, contributed their share to the splendour of the occasion. In the wake of the spectators was the town band; the musicians, having just completed a patriotic56 selection, were partaking of refreshment57.
"Mind how you come alongside with that gadget58 of yours," sung out the Lieutenant in command of the submarine. "We've a terrific lot of camber, you know. If I were you I'd tie up alongside the quay. I'll show you round if you like, but there's a fine old crush already."
"We'll accept your invitation another day, thanks," replied Grainger, as the hydro-glisseur, with the ignition switched off, glided59 slowly and silently with the tide. "Nip ashore, Kaye, and make that rope fast!"
Moored stern-on to the granite60 wall of the quay, the hydro-glisseur bid fair to attract even more attention than the U-boat. Even the Mayor and Corporation delayed their departure to gaze upon the marine45 freak; while perspiring61 policemen strove in vain to keep back the Fisherton townsfolk and prevent them from unduly62 crowding upon the mayoral party.
"This is our little stunt," remarked Grainger. "Evidently people are curious to see us start up. We won't disappoint them. Stand by, Kaye, to cast off, but don't slip till I give the signal."
Suddenly the buzz of conversation on the quay was absolutely drowned by the appalling63 and deafening roar of the powerful engine and the deep bass64 hum of the whirling propeller. The next instant almost every hat in the wake of the rapidly-revolving "prop26" was torn from it's owner's head and whirled aloft in the tornado-like back-draught. Scarlet and violet gowns flapped in the terrific blast like clothes hung out to dry on a boisterous65 day. In ten seconds a section of the crowd was swept aside like a portion of a cornfield falling under the action of a tractor reaper66, while those of the spectators who were beyond the danger-zone rocked with merriment and shouted encouragement to the Marathon competitors for the runaway67 head-gear.
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1
adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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2
salvage
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| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
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stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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inaccessible
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| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
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7
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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8
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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9
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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10
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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11
dismantle
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| vt.拆开，拆卸；废除，取消 | |
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12
drenched
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| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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13
charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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14
struts
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| （框架的）支杆( strut的名词复数 )； 支柱； 趾高气扬的步态； （尤指跳舞或表演时）卖弄 | |
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15
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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16
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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18
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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19
stunt
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| n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长 | |
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20
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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21
scampered
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
ebbing
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| （指潮水）退( ebb的现在分词 )； 落； 减少； 衰落 | |
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23
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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24
fathoms
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| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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25
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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26
prop
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| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
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27
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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29
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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30
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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31
deterred
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| v.阻止，制止( deter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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32
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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33
awning
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| n.遮阳篷；雨篷 | |
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34
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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35
moiety
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| n.一半；部分 | |
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lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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37
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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38
propeller
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器 | |
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39
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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40
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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41
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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42
throttled
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| v.扼杀( throttle的过去式和过去分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
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43
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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44
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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45
marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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46
quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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47
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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48
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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49
discredited
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| 不足信的，不名誉的 | |
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50
emblem
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| n.象征，标志；徽章 | |
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51
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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52
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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53
civic
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| adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的 | |
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54
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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55
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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56
patriotic
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| adj.爱国的，有爱国心的 | |
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57
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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58
gadget
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| n.小巧的机械，精巧的装置，小玩意儿 | |
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59
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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60
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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61
perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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62
unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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63
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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64
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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65
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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66
reaper
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| n.收割者，收割机 | |
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67
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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