She was now a good fifty yards to leeward4, drifting slowly, but evidently uninjured. A portion of the painter still remained bent5 to the shroud1, so there was some slight satisfaction in the knowledge that Hayes had not made a slippery hitch7. The two-inch rope, almost new, had parted like pack-thread.
"I'm soaked as it is," said Desmond, kicking off his shoes. "Another little drop won't do me any harm! The oars8 are in the dinghy, aren't they, Hayes?"
The Sea Scout10 nodded. That was good enough for the Patrol Leader. The next instant he dived in over the side and began striking out for the errant dinghy.
The first twenty yards was a hard struggle, for the flood-tide was setting strongly athwart the swimmer's course, but, as soon as he was over the ledge6 on which the Spindrift had grounded, the cross-current was not so perceptible. There was now six feet of water over this part of the reef, but the long trailing kelp, which at low tide had been lying dormant11 on the rocks, was now rising vertically12 to within eighteen inches of the surface.
It was an unpleasant sensation when Desmond's feet touched the trailing tentacles13 of weed. Although slimy, they had a distinct tendency to entangle14 him. They impeded15 his progress. He tried to keep his feet closer to the surface to evade16 the kelp, but to no purpose.
The while the dinghy was drifting slowly but steadily17 towards a cluster of rocks, appropriately named The Verticals18, against which the surf was lashing19. Once she got within the limits of that broken water she would be done for, and Desmond would have all his work cut out to swim back to the yacht.
At length, finding his progress tedious and difficult, the Patrol Leader turned over on his back. His feet were in consequence nearer the surface, and, aided by the fin-like movements of his hands, Desmond found that the weed no longer hampered20 him.
Steadily he gained upon the truant21, until, with a feeling of relief, he grasped the gunwale. Even then, fairly tired with his strenuous22 efforts, he had to hang on for a minute or so before clambering in over the transom.
There was only one oar9 in the boat. The other had been jerked overboard by the steamer's wash.
Apart from the actual loss, the fact that only one oar remained did not daunt23 the resourceful Patrol Leader. Sculling over the stern is an accomplishment24 that almost every Sea Scout is capable of. The average amateur is "tied up in knots" if called upon to scull a dinghy.
Fortunately the little craft had a sculling notch25 in the transom. Quickly Desmond had the dinghy under control, and was making good progress towards the Spindrift.
"There's the other oar!" he exclaimed to himself, as he caught sight of the missing article. Offering no resistance to the breeze, it had drifted much slower than the buoyant dinghy, and on that account it had escaped the Patrol Leader's notice as he swam. Standing26 up and sculling, he commanded a larger "field" of vision—although the "field" was an expanse of sunlit waves—and thus was able to spot the drifting oar.
"Well done, Desmond!" exclaimed Mr. Graham, as the dinghy came alongside the Spindrift. The other Sea Scouts27 gave their plucky28 comrade a rousing cheer.
"We'll want a new painter, sir," he remarked.
"Findlay will reeve a fresh one," rejoined the Scoutmaster. "Nip down below and shift your wet gear."
Aided by the flood-tide and the little outboard motor, the Spindrift was soon back at the anchorage from which she had taken French leave. This time there was no mistake. The crew took good care to see that the anchor was down properly, and in addition they laid out a kedge.
"Here we stop until we weigh for the Solent, lads," said Mr. Graham. "Unless the Harbour Master takes it into his head to make us shift our berth29. Now, Findlay and Hayes, have you packed up ready for your train journey to Southampton?"
The two Sea Scouts pulled long faces. It was one of those occasions when they forgot the Scout precept30 "Keep Smiling ".
"No, sir, not yet," was the reply.
"I'm going ashore31 to telegraph to Bedford and Coles to join us here," continued the Scoutmaster. "But I've been thinking matters over. Bradley and the other fellows will be quite at home on the guardship at Wootton by this time. We can very well do with a larger crew, so I think you two will be better employed on the Spindrift than going back to Wootton."
"Thank you, sir, awfully32!" exclaimed Jock, while Hayes began a horn-pipe on deck, which came to a rapid and premature33 end when his bare toe came in painful contact with a gun-metal cleat.
Accordingly, a telegram was dispatched to Sea Scout Frank Bedford, telling him to arrive at Kingswear at 7.30 p.m. on the following day and that Coles was to accompany him.
"Why did you say Kingswear, sir?" inquired Hayes, as they came out of the post office.
Mr. Graham pretended not to hear the question, and Hayes did not press the point.
After wandering through the streets of Dartmouth and viewing the old-style half-timbered houses of the Butterwalk, the crew of the Spindrift made their way towards the castle.
They had not gone very far when Mr. Graham touched Hayes on the shoulder.
"Just run over to Dartmouth railway station and see if there's a parcel for me, please," he said. "We'll wait here till you get back. Be as sharp as you can."
Hayes hurried off on his errand. When he was out of sight, Mr. Graham laughed.
"It's a little joke," he explained to the others. "There isn't a railway station at Dartmouth. Kingswear, across the harbour, is the terminus for Dartmouth passengers. It will be rather curious to know how Hayes progresses in his search for something that doesn't exist."
"Are you expecting a parcel at Kingswear station, sir?" asked Findlay.
"No, I'm not," replied Mr. Graham, enjoying the joke immensely. "We'll sit down by the side of the river and wait for developments."
Ten minutes passed—twenty—then half an hour. The Scoutmaster began to wonder what had happened to his messenger.
"Perhaps he's found out you are pulling his leg, sir," suggested Desmond.
"And then?"
"He's gone on board," continued the Patrol Leader. "Fed up sort of feeling."
"I don't think Hayes would take it that way," declared Mr. Graham, "or I would not have played a joke upon him. A joke always falls very flat if the victim cannot take it good-temperedly."
Three-quarters of an hour passed. The Sea Scouts were about to return to search for the absent member of the crew when Hayes came into view, running and rather short of breath.
"It's there, sir," he began. "There's no railway station at Dartmouth, but the first fellow I asked—a Scout—told me to go across the harbour to Kingswear. There's a ferry across. The chap in the parcel office told me that your box had come, but he wouldn't let me have it. It has to be claimed by the consignee34 in person."
"I suppose you're trying to pull my leg?" asked Mr. Graham smilingly.
Hayes looked at him in open-eyed astonishment35.
"Pulling your leg, sir," he repeated. "Of course not. I saw the box there—it's a pretty heavy one." The Scoutmaster was puzzled. He had arranged for a package to be sent to Plymouth, to be picked up on the voyage; but, as far as he knew, no one had been instructed to forward it on.
"Well, I suppose I must solve the mystery," he remarked. "You fellows carry on. Have a good old ramble36 round the Castle. Take your time, provided you are at the quayside at seven."
Making his way back to the town, Mr. Graham crossed the harbour in the Spindrift's dinghy, in order that he might take his parcel straight on board the yacht.
At the station he found that the Sea Scout's statement was correct. There was a large box—about as big as one man could handle—addressed to: W. Graham, Esq., Kingswear Station—To be called for.
"Four shillings and twopence, please, sir," said the official in charge of the office. "Passenger train—special rate. And please sign here."
The Scout Master signed the buff form, paid the four shillings and twopence, and took possession of the box. Failing to find any porters, he manhandled the bulky article himself, but, by the time he deposited it in the stern-sheets of the dinghy, the perspiration38 was pouring down his face.
All the while he was racking his brains to think who could have sent the box. It had been dispatched from Paddington, but there was no indication on the label as to the consignor39.
"Gear from head-quarters, that's what it is!" exclaimed Mr. Graham. "Wonder I hadn't thought of that before, but how came they to know I am at Dartmouth—I'll give that part up."
It had been a fairly difficult single-handed job to transfer the box from the stationary40 pontoon to the lively little dinghy. The difficulty was increased ten fold when it came to transhipping the "gear" from the dinghy to the higher level of the gently rocking yacht.
At length, with the assistance of the throat halliards, the Scoutmaster succeeded in getting the heavy box on to the waterways. Then he dragged it aft, and toppled it carefully into the cockpit; but in spite of his caution, he contrived41 to bark the knuckles42 of his left hand.
The box was corded, every knot—"grannies" most of them—was smothered43 with sealing wax. Mr. Graham was too good a seaman44 to spoil a sound piece of rope by cutting it. Deliberately45 he undid46 the knots and did the rope up into a neat coil.
The next step was to prise open the lid. It was nailed down, with a French nail at every two inches all the way round. By the aid of an axe47, a screw-driver, and a hammer, Mr. Graham removed the lid, although in the attempt he split the wood into five or six pieces.
Full of pleasurable anticipation48 following his strenuous endeavours, Mr. Graham tore aside the canvas wrappings. Then he broke into a cold sweat, for the box was crammed49 with theatrical50 effects—wigs, eighteenth century costumes, partly used grease paints, and a pile of old posters in which the name—Wilfred Graham, Acting51 Manager—appeared conspicuously52.
Evidently the gear belonged to a touring company billed to appear for a two night's performance at Dartmouth, and the Scoutmaster pictured the most unholy row that the actors would kick up when they found that their "props53" were not forthcoming.
Hastily Mr. Graham replaced the things he had removed, nailed down the lid and re-corded the box. Then came the labour of hoisting54 it over the side into the dinghy and taking it back to the station.
He arrived almost breathless at the parcels office, just as a very irate55 man was coming out. The two W. Grahams were face to face.
"Confound you, sir!" roared the Acting Manager. "What are you doing with my property?"
"Returning it," replied the Scoutmaster. "You'll find nothing missing."
"Of no value to you, I suppose?" snapped the other, sarcastically56.
"That," rejoined Mr. Graham, "is beside the point. If you will listen to my explanation I think you will see the funny side of the affair. My surname happens to be the same as your own; so do the initials."
As the explanation proceeded, the Acting Manager's face grew less angry, until he actually laughed.
"All right, dear old boy," he exclaimed. "Come and have a drink?"
The Scoutmaster declined the invitation.
"Then let me give you a couple of tickets for tomorrow night's show," persisted the theatrical man.
"Sorry, but we're away to-morrow," was the reply. The two men shook hands and parted, the Scoutmaster, hot and tired, making his way to the dinghy.
* * * * *
At seven sharp, the Sea Scouts were at the quay37 landing steps. There was no sign of the Spindrift's dinghy. The yacht was not visible from where they stood, a large tramp steamer lying between her and the Dartmouth side of the harbour.
At half-past seven, no Scoutmaster being forthcoming, Desmond suggested going on board.
"We can get a boatman to put us off," he said. "It's quite possible Mr. Graham has gone for a row in the dinghy, and it's taking longer to get back against the tide than he thought."
"And we can have grub ready when he returns," added Findlay. "Something hot and tasty, you know."
He winked57 at Hayes. Desmond, being "cook of the day", didn't greet the suggestion with boisterous58 enthusiasm.
Returning on board the Spindrift, the lads prepared for the overdue59 Scoutmaster's arrival. It was not until eight-thirty that Mr. Graham showed up, looking very hot and tired.
Offering no explanation, he sat down at the table where the meal was in readiness. The rest of the crew couldn't understand it. It was not like their Scoutmaster.
But half-way through the meal, Mr. Graham rather astonished them by roaring with laughter.
"Hayes, my boy!" he exclaimed, when the fit of merriment was over, "I tried to play a little joke on you this afternoon; but, by Jove! it's rebounded60 on me with a vengeance61."
"How, sir?" asked Hayes.
Mr. Graham explained. He was one of those people who enjoy telling a joke against themselves.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
shroud
|
|
| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
shrouds
|
|
| n.裹尸布( shroud的名词复数 )；寿衣；遮蔽物；覆盖物v.隐瞒( shroud的第三人称单数 )；保密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
leeward
|
|
| adj.背风的；下风的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
ledge
|
|
| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
hitch
|
|
| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
oars
|
|
| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
oar
|
|
| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
scout
|
|
| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
dormant
|
|
| adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
vertically
|
|
| adv.垂直地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
tentacles
|
|
| n.触手( tentacle的名词复数 )；触角；触须；触毛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
entangle
|
|
| vt.缠住，套住；卷入，连累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
impeded
|
|
| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
evade
|
|
| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
verticals
|
|
| 垂直线，垂直位置( vertical的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
lashing
|
|
| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
hampered
|
|
| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
truant
|
|
| n.懒惰鬼，旷课者；adj.偷懒的，旷课的，游荡的；v.偷懒，旷课 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
strenuous
|
|
| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
daunt
|
|
| vt.使胆怯，使气馁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
accomplishment
|
|
| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
notch
|
|
| n.(V字形)槽口，缺口，等级 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
scouts
|
|
| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
plucky
|
|
| adj.勇敢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
berth
|
|
| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
precept
|
|
| n.戒律；格言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
awfully
|
|
| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
premature
|
|
| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
consignee
|
|
| n.受托者，收件人，代销人；承销人；收货人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
ramble
|
|
| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
quay
|
|
| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
perspiration
|
|
| n.汗水；出汗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
consignor
|
|
| n.委托者；发货人；寄件人；交付人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
stationary
|
|
| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
contrived
|
|
| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
knuckles
|
|
| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
smothered
|
|
| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
seaman
|
|
| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
Undid
|
|
| v. 解开, 复原 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
axe
|
|
| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
anticipation
|
|
| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
crammed
|
|
| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
theatrical
|
|
| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
conspicuously
|
|
| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
props
|
|
| 小道具； 支柱( prop的名词复数 )； 支持者； 道具； （橄榄球中的）支柱前锋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
hoisting
|
|
| 起重，提升 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
irate
|
|
| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
sarcastically
|
|
| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
winked
|
|
| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
boisterous
|
|
| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
overdue
|
|
| adj.过期的，到期未付的；早该有的，迟到的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
rebounded
|
|
| 弹回( rebound的过去式和过去分词 )； 反弹； 产生反作用； 未能奏效 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |