"Good luck and bon voyage!" exclaimed Mr. Armitage. "We'll keep a look out for you when you approach the Wight. We're generally cruising about there when we haven't any particular object in view."
"I suppose you'll make Falmouth to-day," remarked Mr. Graham.
Mr. Armitage glanced aloft, where the clouds were scudding4 fairly rapidly across the sky.
"Glass is falling," he replied. "I think we'll keep inside the breakwater to-day. Look here, Graham, suppose we run you up the Tamar. It will knock about twelve miles off your journey."
"Thanks awfully," said Mr. Graham frankly5.
"We don't know the Tamar," continued Mr. Armitage, "but there's no reason why we shouldn't find our course up the river. It won't be the first time we've had to navigate6 strange waters. It will be rather fun. Start her up, lads."
In five minutes the crew of the Olivette had their able little craft ready to get under way. The warps7 holding her to the Unity8 were cast off, and the boat began to gather way.
As usual, Mr. Armitage left the navigation to his Patrol Leader, merely standing9 by ready to correct any possible error that might result in a serious mishap10. So Woodleigh, with a large-scale chart of "The Approaches to Plymouth", was in the wheelhouse, giving the course to Flemming at the wheel.
Warkworth was in charge of the motor, and, as was the invariable custom in crowded waters, kept within arm's length of the clutch. The rest of the Sea Scouts12 were on deck taking in the ever-changing view with the deepest interest.
Drake's Island glided13 past on the port beam. The intricate narrows between Devil's Point and Cremyll were safely negotiated, and the expansive Hamoaze, a sheltered sheet of water large and deep enough to accommodate the navies of the world, came into view.
Assisted by the strong flood-tide, the Olivette made rapid progress past the Royal Dockyard and Keyham Yard to starboard, and with warships14 of all sizes and descriptions lying at moorings on their port hand.
"There's a bridge right ahead of us, sir," reported Rayburn. "Shall we have to lower our mast to go under it?"
"How high is our mast?" asked the Scoutmaster gravely.
"Twenty-five feet, sir," replied Rayburn promptly16.
"We may just do it, then," rejoined Mr. Armitage. "You needn't bother about unshackling the forestay just yet. Wait and see what the clearance17 of the bridge looks like when we get a bit nearer."
A couple of minutes later Rayburn came aft again. "I think we'll just manage it, sir," he reported.
"Very well; carry on," was the response.
It was not long before the two miles of river below the bridge were covered, and when the Olivette glided serenely18 under one of the wide and massive spans Rayburn positively19 blushed. What he had taken to be a low bridge was in reality the famous Saltash Bridge, with a clearance of a hundred feet.
"That's one up against you, Rayburn!" exclaimed Hepburn, and in the general laugh the embarrassed Sea Scout11 went below.
"Ease her down, Flemming," suggested Mr. Armitage. "We're getting into an intricate waterway, and if we touch with a lot of way on we may do ourselves damage."
Above Saltash Bridge the Tamar contracts considerably20. What it loses in breadth it gains in scenery, for on either side high ground crowned with trees made a picturesque21 setting to the tidal estuary22.
"We're in luck," said Woodleigh, pointing to a small paddle-steamer ahead. "She'll be our pilot."
In a few minutes the Olivette had overhauled23 the paddle-boat sufficiently24 to be right in her foamy25 wake. Speed was still further reduced until the distance between the two craft was evenly maintained.
"Woodleigh will make one of the smartest coastal26 navigators going," observed Mr. Armitage to his brother Scoutmaster. "He knows all the 'tricks of the trade' already. He'd make a capital master of a tug27 or coasting vessel28, but curiously29 enough he hasn't shone at deep-sea navigation. I tried to teach him to work out a position by sextant, but it was hopeless."
"And yet, on the other hand," rejoined Mr. Graham, "how many seamen30 one meets who are absolutely out of it when navigating31 in shallow waters. I've seen Royal Navy men—jolly smart fellows at their work—'tied up in knots' when compelled by circumstances to navigate shallow, intricate channels, through which yachtsmen and fishermen venture with impunity32."
Calstock, a small village boasting a magnificent stone railway bridge across the river, came into sight. This was the Olivette's limit as far as the Tamar was concerned. Berthing33 alongside the quay34 and astern of the steamer that had perforce acted as a pilot, the crew once more bade their guests and fellow Sea Scouts good luck.
Mr. Graham, armed with an Ordnance35 map, "set the course ", aiming as far as possible to keep off the highroad. This meant loss of speed; but on the other hand it was preferable to tramping stolidly36 along a hard-surfaced highway.
The lads were thoroughly37 enjoying themselves. Tramping after a sea voyage came as a complete change. What was more, there was a goal for which they were making—something to speed them to renewed energies. By five o'clock in the afternoon they arrived at the old-fashioned Cornish town of Launceston, where, guided by a local Scoutmaster, they found a splendid camping-ground a little to the north of the town.
It was a Spartan-like camp, but fortunately the weather was decidedly on the mend. The drizzle38 they had experienced at Plymouth had been left behind, and on the lofty Cornish hinterland the ground was quite dry and the air marvellously bracing39.
Very soon a fire was burning brightly. Over it, suspended by a stout40 sapling held up by a couple of crossed poles, the kettle boiled very quickly.
It was a gorgeous, Scout-like meal. Tea slightly flavoured with the reek41 of burnt wood, huge slabs42 of bread liberally plastered with fresh butter, kippers (purchased in Launceston) fried in the hot embers, and huge, floury potatoes baked in their skins, made a satisfying and appetizing repast.
"How's that wound on your toe, Desmond?" inquired Mr. Graham. He had asked the same question at least half a dozen times before, and the Patrol Leader had stoutly43 asserted that he hardly felt it, and that it was healing nicely.
"It's a bit painful, sir," admitted Desmond reluctantly. While he had been on the move he had practically forgotten all about it; but now, sprawling44 on the turf, he was aware of a persistent45 and increasing throb46.
"Take your shoe and stocking off and let me see the injury," said the Scoutmaster.
Desmond did so. In spite of the fact that the ratbite had been carefully washed with disinfectant the flesh was badly inflamed47.
Mr. Graham dressed the wound and insisted on the Patrol Leader keeping still for the rest of the evening.
"We'll see how it looks in the morning," he added. "If it's not considerably better you'll have to finish the trek48 by train."
It was jolly plucky49 on Desmond's part to have started with a toe in that condition; but he failed to grasp the other side of the case. By "carrying on" he had made the wound worse, with the result that he might be laid up for several days, and thus throw a heavy strain upon the rest of the crew of the Spindrift. If, however, he had admitted that his foot was painful, Mr. Graham would have sent him to Bude by train from Plymouth, and in all probability, by the time the others arrived to take over the yacht, Desmond would have been able to carry out his duties without physical discomfort50.
The fire was kept up and given a plentiful51 supply of fuel when darkness set in. The four trekkers had already prepared their beds on a sloping expanse of turf under the lee of a rough stone wall. Making the beds was a simple matter, and consisted of scooping52 out a small hole to take the pressure of each sleeper53's hip15. Then the ground-sheets were spread proofed-side downwards54, and the blankets arranged to fold over so that there were two thicknesses above and below the sleeper. Haversacks laid over a heap of moss55 provided a pillow, while the fold of the ground-sheet over everything made an effectual protection from the night dews.
"Comfortable, Desmond?" inquired the Scoutmaster.
"Yes, sir," came the muffled56 reply.
"Good night, everyone!" exclaimed Mr. Graham.
"Good night, sir," was the rejoinder from three very sleepy lads, and five minutes later silence reigned57 in the camp.
Almost before the sun had risen Hayes awoke, stretched himself, and got up. His companions were still sleeping soundly. Resisting the temptation to place a wet sponge on Jock Findlay's face, the Sea Scout went to a near-by brook58 and washed. Then, stirring the still-glowing embers of last night's fire and applying fresh fuel, he coaxed59 the dried wood into a healthy blaze.
"Isn't it fine!" he exclaimed to himself, as he stood erect60, breathing in the pure moorland air and surveying the expanse of undulating ground terminated by the rugged61 heights of Brown Willy. "I never thought there was such a view. There ought to be some scheme for sending East Coast Scouts to camp in Cornwall, and give Cornish Scouts a chance to see the Essex mudflats. Now then, you sleepy bounders! Out you turn."
By the time the others had performed their ablutions, Hayes had the porridge under way. It hardly mattered that one kettle had to answer for all culinary purposes; that the porridge had a slight flavour of tea and that there were a few tea-leaves in it. Toned down with thick Cornish cream and a lavish62 quantity of golden syrup63 the porridge disappeared, and was pronounced excellent. Slices of streaky bacon grilled64 over the fire were devoured65 with gusto, notwithstanding particles of wood ash which adhered to the fat.
Breakfast over, the Sea Scouts struck camp. They did so methodically. The blankets, after being aired, were folded; the scanty66 gear cleaned and packed away. Then the cinders67 of the fire and all loose paper and refuse were buried, so that the owner of the land would have no cause for complaint.
"Now let me see your toe again, Desmond," said Mr. Graham.
Desmond felt none too happy as far as his injury was concerned. He sat down and removed the dressings68.
"H'm," remarked the Scoutmaster. "A little better, but there's still a fair amount of inflammation. It's the puff-puff for you, my lad. It's as much as you can do to walk to the railway station."
Protesting ineffectually, the Patrol Leader was escorted into the town. At the station it was found that there was a train in an hour and a half's time.
"You'll be there before us, old man," said Jock consolingly. "Since you've got to keep your foot up you might try lying on one of the bunks69 of the Spindrift in case there are any rats on board. They seem very partial to you."
"That's a fact," rejoined the victim bitterly. "I guess that rat knew I have a Naturalist's Badge."
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1
rations
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| 定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量 | |
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binoculars
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| n.双筒望远镜 | |
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slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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scudding
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| n.刮面v.（尤指船、舰或云彩）笔直、高速而平稳地移动( scud的现在分词 ) | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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navigate
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| v.航行，飞行；导航，领航 | |
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warps
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| n.弯曲( warp的名词复数 )；歪斜；经线；经纱v.弄弯，变歪( warp的第三人称单数 )；使（行为等）不合情理，使乖戾， | |
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unity
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| n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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13
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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14
warships
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| 军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只 | |
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hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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clearance
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| n.净空；许可(证)；清算；清除，清理 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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22
estuary
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| n.河口，江口 | |
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overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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foamy
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| adj.全是泡沫的，泡沫的，起泡沫的 | |
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coastal
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| adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的 | |
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tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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31
navigating
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| v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的现在分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃 | |
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32
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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33
berthing
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| v.停泊( berth的现在分词 )；占铺位；边板 | |
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quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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ordnance
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| n.大炮，军械 | |
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stolidly
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| adv.迟钝地，神经麻木地 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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38
drizzle
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| v.下毛毛雨；n.毛毛雨，蒙蒙细雨 | |
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bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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reek
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| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
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42
slabs
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| n.厚板，平板，厚片( slab的名词复数 )；厚胶片 | |
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43
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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44
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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45
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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46
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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47
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
trek
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| vi.作长途艰辛的旅行；n.长途艰苦的旅行 | |
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49
plucky
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| adj.勇敢的 | |
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50
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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51
plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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52
scooping
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| n.捞球v.抢先报道( scoop的现在分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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53
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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54
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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55
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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56
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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57
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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58
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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59
coaxed
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
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60
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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61
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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62
lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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63
syrup
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| n.糖浆，糖水 | |
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64
grilled
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| adj. 烤的, 炙过的, 有格子的 动词grill的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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65
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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66
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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67
cinders
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| n.煤渣( cinder的名词复数 )；炭渣；煤渣路；煤渣跑道 | |
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68
dressings
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| n.敷料剂；穿衣( dressing的名词复数 )；穿戴；（拌制色拉的）调料；（保护伤口的）敷料 | |
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69
bunks
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| n.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的名词复数 )；空话，废话v.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的第三人称单数 )；空话，废话 | |
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