At the appointed time, the Spindrift's crew was augmented1 by the arrival of Bedford and Coles. The new members were delighted with the yacht and her surroundings. The only grievance2—if grievance it can be termed—was that their share of the voyage had been shortened by the distance from Plymouth to Dartmouth.
"Well, what's the news from Wootton?" inquired Mr. Graham, after the two Sea Scouts4 had taken in the details of their new acquisition, and had been told of her exciting run round The Land.
"Everything's all serene5, sir," replied Bedford. "Patrol Leader Bradley has got the rest of the Troop well in hand. Makes them do physical jerks every morning before breakfast. We had to before we came away at nine o'clock."
"You look very fit, Bedford," said Desmond. "You've worked down a lot of your fat."
"And you haven't put any on," retorted Bedford, looking at the lean, weather-beaten features of the Patrol Leader.
"And how are the Collinsons?" asked Mr. Graham.
"Mr. Collinson's doing well, sir," replied Bedford "His arm is mending rapidly. He told me the other day that we were so jolly handy that he meant to ship a couple of Sea Scouts on board his yacht instead of a paid hand. When do we start, sir?"
"At daybreak to-morrow," answered the Scoutmaster. "The glass is high and steady, and the weather forecast—if that's anything to go by—is for westerly winds of moderate strength. We've a goodish run across West Bay, and I want to be well to the east'ard of Portland Bill by the early evening."
Grey dawn was appearing over the Devon hills when the crew of the Spindrift turned out.
"Isn't it cold for August!" exclaimed Bedford, swinging his arms.
"You're cold, eh?" rejoined the Patrol Leader, jumping at the opportunity afforded by Bedford's remark. "Right-o; nip below and start up the stove. You're cook of the day."
The Sea Scout3 obeyed readily enough. By the time the rest of the crew had uncoated the mainsail, got the headsail and mizzen ready to hoist7, and had broken out and stowed the kedge, the "galley-slave", as Hayes termed the youth told off for cooking meals, reported that hot cocoa was ready.
A large cup of the sustaining beverage8 and a couple of very hard biscuits provided the "stand-by" to commence the working day, as breakfast was to be served while under way.
The little motor acted admirably, in spite of the cold, starting up at the first swing of the fly-wheel. "All ready?" shouted the Scoutmaster.
"Ay, ay, sir!"
"Heave her up."
The pawls of the winch clattered9 merrily as the cable came home. Presently the big galvanized anchor appeared above the surface. Findlay promptly10 caught the gravity-band shackle11 with the lower block of the handy-billy, and in double quick time the "killick" was secured on deck.
By this time the Spindrift was forging slowly ahead, and the hitherto fully12 occupied lads had an opportunity of seeing the last of Dartmouth for no doubt a considerable time.
Within the harbour the water was as calm as a millpond, save for the rippling13 wake of the outward bound yacht. Outside, the sea was dancing under the influence of a light westerly breeze, which promised to grow in strength as the sun rose higher.
Sail was now set, and the engine switched off.
Desmond, as sailing master, told off Hayes for the first two hours at the helm.
"Keep the East Blackstone on your port bow," he cautioned. "When that's abeam14, we'll set a compass course."
"May we fish, sir?" asked Findlay. "We heard last night that there are shoals of mackerel off the East Blackstone."
"Certainly," replied Mr. Graham. "Only take care to keep your hooks clear of the main and mizzen sheets!"
Findlay had brought mackerel hooks and spinners. Quickly two lines were paid out, one on each quarter, Jock tending one and Coles handling the other.
The Spindrift was now moving just at the right speed for this sort of work. In less than a minute a jerk of the line nearly pulled it out of the Tenderfoot's hand. Hauling in the line he secured a good-sized fish.
Coles caught a dozen before Findlay hooked his first fish, which puzzled and chagrined15 the latter considerably16.
"Perhaps it's because my line is to lee'ard," suggested Coles. "Take mine, and I'll try my luck with yours!"
The exchange was effected, but still Coles was the lucky one. In less than an hour he had secured twenty-one mackerel to Findlay's four. Then, contrary to expectation, the breeze died utterly17 away, and the lines no longer trailed astern.
"We've caught enough, anyway," remarked Findlay, coiling away his lines.
"Yes, mackerel fresh from the salt sea for breakfast," added Desmond. "I'm jolly glad it's not my turn to be cook."
That post on board was no sinecure18, and there was no competition for the job; but whoever took it did the work cheerfully and generally well. The Sea Scouts believed in the maxim19: "a well fed crew makes a happy ship ".
For the next two hours the Spindrift's progress was tediously slow. Breakfast was cooked and eaten, and the plates and dishes washed up and stowed away, before the breeze sprang up; and Berry Head and the red cliffs of Devon were still plainly visible.
"Rather slower than when we passed here last time, sir, in the Olivette," remarked Desmond.
"But we've the best part of the day before us," Mr. Graham reminded him.
"We're afloat," declared Bedford. "That's the main thing."
He no longer had cause to complain of the cold. The day grew hotter and hotter as the sun rose and the wind dropped, till by ten o'clock the thermometer in the cabin registered 90 degrees.
So far the Spindrift was not alone. She was in company with nearly twenty Brixham trawlers, all practically drifting. They made a pretty sight, with their huge tanned sails casting shimmering20 reflections on the gently heaving water.
At noon the wind sprang up again and quickly rose to a fresh sailing breeze from the sou'-west. Sheets were soon trimmed, and once more the "kick of the helm "—that delightful21 sensation to keen sailor-men—asserted itself.
It was not until four in the afternoon that Portland Bill became visible. It was now too late to attempt to round the Bill close to and make for Portland Harbour. To have attempted to do so would have resulted in the little craft being swept into the dreaded22 Race. Accordingly, a course was shaped to pass four miles south of that notorious headland.
As long as the breeze held, there was little to worry about; but should it fail, as it often does towards evening in summer, there was the prospect23 of another night afloat. Mr. Graham was anxious to make Swanage or even Poole Harbour. He did not hanker after another night in the Channel, but the Sea Scouts rather hoped for one.
The Brixham fleet was no longer in sight. The boats had stood well away to the south'ard. All around the horizon was unbroken, save to the east'ard, where the wedge-shaped Bill cut the skyline.
At tea-time all hands went below, with the exception of Bedford at the helm. There was now a fairly heavy sea running, for there was a weather-going tide.
In the midst of the meal there was a violent crash. The yacht heeled over on the opposite tack24, nearly capsizing the Sea Scouts on the port settee, and flinging most of the things off the table.
Instantly, there was a wild rush on deck. A scene of confusion met their eyes. The helmsman had let the yacht gybe all standing25, and before he could check the main sheet the boom had flown violently against the set-up runners on the starboard side. The sudden shock had carried away that part of the gear, and the strain was thrown upon the mast. It had parted fifteen feet above the deck, letting mainsail and headsails down in utter confusion. The mizzen, being still set, was tending to turn the yacht head to wind, with the trailing canvas dragging over the bows.
It was not an occasion to demand or receive explanations. The first thing to be done was to get the yacht under control.
Under the Scoutmaster's directions, the broken-off portion of the mast was parbuckled on board and secured, and the headsails recovered and stowed. The next step was to set up temporary halliards and shrouds26 on the fractured mast, a difficult business owing to the erratic27 motion of the yacht.
Working quickly and well, Desmond and Findlay succeeded in passing three strops round the top of the broken mast and shackling28 blocks to them—two for'ard and one aft. Then the shrouds, shortened by means of sheepshanks, were sent aloft and secured sufficiently29 to take up a considerable amount of strain.
"Now we can set the headsail," announced Mr. Graham. "Take two reefs in the staysail, or you won't get it right home; and set No. 2 jib."
All hands were so busy that they failed to notice the approach of a steam drifter until she gave a warning blast on her syren. Slowing down, she drew within twenty yards of the Spindrift.
"Want a tow into Weymouth?" shouted her skipper.
Mr. Graham had to decide quickly. On the one hand he was responsible for the safety of the lads under his charge; on the other he did not like the idea of "chucking up the sponge" so quickly, especially as he would have to pay for the salvage30. He glanced to wind'ard; the breeze was fair. The barometer31 was high and steady. It was a strong temptation when he looked from the disabled Spindrift to the powerful steam drifter.
"How much?" he asked.
"Twenty-five p'un," shouted the skipper.
"Don't do it, sir," said Desmond in a low voice. "We'll be all right without having to pay that."
"Sorry, nothing doing!" replied the Scoutmaster, then turning to the Patrol Leader he added: "Desmond, you're a brick!"
The skipper of the drifter pulled up the window of the wheelhouse with a savage32 jerk, that implied plainly enough what he thought of Mr. Graham.
"Carry on, lads!" exclaimed the Scoutmaster. "Up with the staysail!"
As the flapping canvas rose, the skipper of the drifter lowered the pane33 and thrust his head through the window.
"Ahoy!" he bawled34. "Make it twenty. It's 'ard earned money."
Mr. Graham shook his head.
"Fifteen, then; I likes to do a good turn to a fellow in distress35."
"No, not for five pounds," shouted the Scoutmaster resolutely36. "We don't want any assistance, thank you." The engine-room telegraph bell clanged, and the drifter began to draw astern. The crew of the Spindrift paid slight attention to her: they were busy at their own job.
Under reefed staysail, the yacht paid off, and began to gather way. The setting of the jib helped still more, so that with three sails drawing well she began to make a good three knots.
"Now the mainsail," continued Mr. Graham. "We can't set the peak, so we must set it as a trysail. We'll have to double reef first, or we cannot hoist the throat close up."
"Look, sir! There's something wrong with that drifter!" exclaimed Coles.
All eyes were directed upon the would-be Good Samaritan (at a price). Her engines were stopped, but she still carried way. Clouds of steam were issuing through the fidleys.
Raising his binoculars37, Mr. Graham kept the vessel38 under observation. She was now about two cable lengths away, and slowing down steadily39. Through the hatchway appeared the engineer, with his hands to his face and steam coming from his clothes.
"Main steam pipe burst," exclaimed Mr. Graham.
"She won't sink?" asked Hayes.
"No; she can set fore6 and aft sail. It's that poor fellow, the engineer, who has suffered by the accident. He looks badly scalded."
"First aid, sir?" asked Findlay hopefully.
"We'll ask them," was the reply. "Stand by to semaphore."
It was five minutes or more before Findlay attracted the attention of the skipper of the drifter.
"Do—you—require—first—aid?" semaphored Jock. The answer was emphatic40 if not to the point.
"You go to blazes!" was the message given by the irate41 skipper's arms.
By this time the drifter had set her headsails and mizzen, but the Spindrift was gaining rapidly on her.
"It will be a race," declared Hayes. "We are beating her already, and we haven't our motor going."
"Wait till she sets her mainsail," said Desmond. "Then she'll show us her heels."
"We may as well set ours," added Mr. Graham. "All reef points secured? Good—hoist away on your throat halliards."
The mainsail was set as a trysail, the peak lowered to its full extent. Even that comparatively small expanse of canvas made a difference, for the yacht quickly drew abreast42 of the drifter.
Up went the latter's mainsail. She too increased her pace, but it was soon evident that the under-canvased yacht more than held her own with her bulky rival, hampered43 as she was with the drag of her three-bladed propeller44.
"We've company," observed Bedford, "although a surly fellow at that. Is he making for Weymouth, do you think, sir?"
"If he does, he'll have his work cut out to work up the east side of the Bill," replied Mr. Graham. "We won't risk it."
The Spindrift had now obtained and was holding a useful lead. An hour later she was a quarter of a mile ahead, with the drifter following dead in her wake. Portland Bill was abeam at last; the drifter starboarded helm and made towards the Shambles45 Lightship, while the yacht shaped a course for the distant St. Alban's Head.
"She's making for Weymouth by the east side of the Race," said the Scoutmaster. "More than likely she'll get a tow into harbour. Well, we've saved money this time."
The tide was now setting strongly to the east'ard. Under its favourable46 influence the Spindrift quickly reeled off the distance between the Bill and St. Alban's, passing through the Race off the latter headland without taking much water on board.
The wind had now veered47 a couple of points, and on rounding St. Alban's Head the change of direction of the coast line necessitated48 a close haul on the port tack if the yacht were to make Swanage or Poole.
Mr. Graham glanced at his watch, consulted the barometer, and took a survey of the sky to wind'ard.
"Lads!" he exclaimed. "We'll carry on for the Solent. We've four hours' fair tide, and with decent luck we'll be inside the Wight before dark."
"Good enough, sir!" agreed the crew in chorus.
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1
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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grievance
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| n.怨愤，气恼，委屈 | |
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3
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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5
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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6
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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7
hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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8
beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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9
clattered
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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shackle
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| n.桎梏，束缚物；v.加桎梏，加枷锁，束缚 | |
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12
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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13
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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14
abeam
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| adj.正横着(的) | |
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chagrined
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| adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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18
sinecure
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| n.闲差事，挂名职务 | |
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19
maxim
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| n.格言，箴言 | |
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20
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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21
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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22
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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23
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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24
tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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25
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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shrouds
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| 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 | |
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27
erratic
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| adj.古怪的，反复无常的，不稳定的 | |
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28
shackling
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| 给（某人）带上手铐或脚镣( shackle的现在分词 ) | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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30
salvage
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| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
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31
barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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32
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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33
pane
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| n.窗格玻璃，长方块 | |
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34
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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35
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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binoculars
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| n.双筒望远镜 | |
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38
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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39
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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40
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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41
irate
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| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
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42
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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43
hampered
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
propeller
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| n.螺旋桨，推进器 | |
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45
shambles
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| n.混乱之处；废墟 | |
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46
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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47
veered
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| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
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48
necessitated
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| 使…成为必要，需要( necessitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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