"Find a suitable spar, use the old fittings and make a new mast," replied Mr. Graham.
"I don't mean that exactly, sir," continued Jock. "Do you intend to keep her there or sail her back to the East Coast?"
"That is a matter for all of you to decide," said the Scoutmaster. "Personally, I think she draws too much water for the Essex estuaries1. That would limit us to the deeper channels. Here, on the South Coast, are plenty of harbours capable of taking her at any state of the tide, and it would take two seasons to explore the Solent, Portsmouth, Langston, and Chichester Harbours, to say nothing of Poole Harbour."
"I vote we keep her on the South Coast, sir," suggested Desmond. "It's a new cruising ground, and we can get six weeks every summer. We still have our cutter at Southend to go afloat in during the week-ends."
To this the others agreed.
"That settles it, then," added Mr. Graham. "We can go into details later. What's that on your starboard bow?"
The lads looked in the direction indicated. Just above the horizon was a faint, triangular-shaped patch of white.
"Looks like a sail, sir," said Coles.
"Six hundred feet in height, eh?" exclaimed the Scoutmaster. "No, it's not a sail, Coles, it's the chalk cliff at the western end of the Isle2 of Wight, sixteen miles away."
At eight o'clock Christchurch Head was abeam3, distance two miles, with the needle-like shaft4 of Hurst High Light showing ahead against the sky.
"We'll do it if the breeze holds," declared Desmond. "How much petrol have we on board, Jock?"
"Three full tins and one about half full," replied Findlay.
"You took in enough while you were about it," commented the Patrol Leader.
"Nothing like being on the safe side," was Findlay's rejoinder.
"Look!" exclaimed Hayes, pointing to a craft about a mile on the starboard bow. "Isn't that the Olivette?"
"Believe it is," said Desmond, picking up his binoculars5. Then, leaning over the companion, he announced:
"Olivette in sight, sir."
Mr. Graham, who was consulting a chart in the cabin, came on deck.
"She's spotted6 us," he exclaimed. "She's slowed down to have a run in company. Perhaps they've noticed our broken mast."
"Jolly decent of them," said Hayes.
A quarter of an hour later, the two vessels7 were within hailing distance.
"Hello! Armitage," called out Mr. Graham. "Going to give us a tow in?"
"Wish we could," was the reply. "We're broken down—out of fuel."
"Tank's leaking," supplemented Woodleigh, to dispel8 any suggestion that the fault lay in not providing sufficient fuel. "It's done that before, but we thought we'd fixed11 it up all right."
The Spindrift ran alongside the "fifty-four footer ", and a line was thrown and made fast. Although the breeze still held, the sea was comparatively smooth.
"You can't tow us," objected Mr. Armitage. "You've as much as you can do to carry on with that broken mast. I was about to send a boat ashore12 for some paraffin."
"No need," replied Mr. Graham. "Your engine will run on petrol. We can let you have a couple of tins—three if necessary, and we've about three gallons of paraffin for the stove. You can have that."
"What are you doing with petrol, then?" asked Mr. Armitage.
"Oh, we've a motor too," replied Desmond proudly. "A dinky little outboard."
The offer of the petrol and paraffin was gladly accepted. Already the leak in the tank had been soldered13, and all that was required was to fill up and restart the engine.
"Stow your canvas, Graham," said Mr. Armitage. "You won't want that again this evening. We'll tow you into Keyhaven. That will suit, I hope?"
"Perfectly14," was the reply.
The Olivette gathered way, the Spindrift following meekly15 at the end of a four-inch grass hawser16, and well before dark both boats were safely moored17 in the narrow and sheltered waters of Keyhaven.
"I think we can fix you up with a spar to-morrow," said Mr. Armitage, when the Milford Sea Scouts18 boarded the Spindrift to see what sort of craft the Southend lads had obtained. "A yacht came ashore at Milford last month and became a total wreck19. We bought a lot of her gear, including her mast. I think it would just suit you."
"Thanks awfully," replied Mr. Graham. "What do you want for it?"
"Pooh, pooh!" protested Mr. Armitage. "We are not dealers20 in marine21 stores. We bought the stick for a mere22 song, thinking it might come in handy for a signal mast for our hut. But it would be a jolly sight more useful in a yacht, I take it."
"And we have all the tools for the job in our boathouse," added Woodleigh. "We'll all turn out to-morrow and lend a hand. Many hands make light work."
"And too many cooks spoil the broth," laughed Flemming. "However, we'll all see if we can help without tumbling over each other."
Early next morning, as soon as the dew had vanished, the Milford Sea Scouts gathered at their boat store. The mast and a couple of stout23 scaffold-poles were placed on a truck and wheeled down to the quay24.
Here they were joined by the crew of the Spindrift, and while one party sandpapered down the mast and applied25 a coat of quick-drying varnish26, the others brought the yacht alongside and rigged up a pair of sheer legs. These were set up with their heels wedged alongside the shroud27 plates, and guyed fore10 and aft with strong tackles.
By this means the broken mast was lifted out and carried ashore. The running and standing29 rigging and halliards were then removed and transferred to the new mast, which by this time was quite dry.
It was a tricky30 job shipping31 the new mast. Not only was it longer than the broken spar but considerably32 heavier, and the height of the sheer legs was not enough to hoist33 it in an almost perpendicular34 position.
"We can hold the heel down," said Findlay.
"No," objected Mr. Graham, peremptorily35. "I'm not going to allow anyone under those sheer legs in case anything carries away."
"I don't see how we can do it otherwise, sir," remarked Jock.
"There is a way," observed the Scoutmaster. "We'll have to make the mast heavier."
The Sea Scouts looked at him to see if he were joking, but Mr. Graham was perfectly grave.
"Yes," he continued. "If we get a pig of ballast and secure it to the mast three feet above the heel, that will cant36 the mast at the required angle. We can then guide the heel to the proper position by means of rope, and lower away."
This task was successfully accomplished37, and by noon the mast wedges were driven home and caulked38, the shrouds39 set up, and the boom and gaff placed in position.
"Now you're all shipshape and Bristol fashion!" exclaimed Mr. Armitage.
"Thanks largely to your assistance," added Mr. Graham.
The Scoutmaster of the Milford Troop made a deprecatory gesture.
"That's nothing much," he protested. "It's all part of the game—the Brotherhood40 of the Sea. We've been helped out of difficulties before to-day, and much of the zest41 of life is derived42 from helping43 others."
"I hope we may never have to do you a good turn of this sort, Armitage," said Mr. Graham, "but, if we do, you will know that it will be a pleasure for us to do so. One never knows."
"That's a fact," declared Mr. Armitage sententiously. "No doubt we'll come across you again, especially as you're keeping the Spindrift in commission on the Solent."
At two o'clock the Spindrift got under way, amidst an exchange of hearty44 cheers between the two troops. Outside Keyhaven they picked up a favourable45 breezes, but progress was slow owing to the foul46 tide. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant sail, and it was six o'clock before the tide changed and swept the yacht quickly through Cowes Roads.
"There's our home port," exclaimed Desmond, as the yacht rounded Old Castle Point and opened up the wooded shores of Osborne Bay. "Wonder if the other fellows will spot us when we're abreast47 of Wootton Rocks."
"Sure thing," declared Findlay. "Patrol Leader Bradley is dead nuts on watchkeeping. I don't suppose many craft pass within sight of the guardship without his knowing it."
"We shall see," rejoined Desmond. "I don't suppose they expect us before the beginning of next week."
"Give Bradley a chance, anyway," said Hayes. "Let's hoist our patrol burgee. Are you starting the motor, Findlay?"
Findlay looked inquiringly at Mr. Graham.
"It would show your seamanship if you beat into the creek," remarked the Scoutmaster.
"Very good, sir," replied Desmond. "We won't use the engine. A pull on the main sheet there!"
The Spindrift, hitherto running, was now close hauled on the starboard tack28. This would take her up the "boomed" channel, but above the coastguard slipway it would mean almost a dead beat before squaring off for the final reach.
"Ready about—lee-o!" ordered Desmond as the beat began.
Mr. Graham sat on the top of the companion ladder, watching the manoeuvre48 but resolving to let the crew carry on under the Patrol Leader's orders.
It was a narrow channel and the wind was fluky, but the crew were smart at their work, and by this time they knew their ship. She was fairly slow at coming about, but sure. Not once did she show a tendency to miss stays.
Every board brought the Spindrift nearer and nearer to the guardship. The crew could see the Ocean Bride moored astern of her, but on neither craft was there any sign of animation49.
"By Jove!" ejaculated Desmond. "We've got 'em cold! We'll run right under her lee, and give them our Patrol call."
Blanketed by the high wooded ground to starboard, the Spindrift was now making very little way. At intervals50 faint puffs51 of wind swept down upon the land-locked estuary52, but the faint flood-tide was sweeping53 the yacht steadily54 inward.
"Down mainsail!" ordered Desmond. "Stand by to lower headsails and mizzen smartly. Bedford, you tend the for'ard warp55; Hayes, look out for the quarter-rope—a bowline round the guardship's bollard as we go alongside, but check her gently."
Like a band of conspirators56, the crew of the Spindrift prepared for the surprise of their chums on the guardship. The Ocean Bride was passed without attracting the attention of the Collinsons. Then her bows drew level with the stern of the guardship.
Desmond made a sign with his hand. Down fluttered the rest of the canvas, with hardly a sound, save for the cheep of a stiff running-block. Deftly57 the securing ropes were thrown and belayed. The Patrol Leader raised his hand again.
Instantly the crew yelled their hardest, making the wooded shore echo and re-echo to their ear-splitting Patrol call.
The effect was almost instantaneous. At every open lower-deck port, one, two, or three heads were thrust out—wide-eyed astonished Sea Scouts who could hardly grasp the fact that their comrades had returned from their long coast-wise voyage. And with them were Mr. Collinson and his wife.
"Caught you napping, lads!" exclaimed Mr. Graham.
"Spoilt my yarn58, you mean," rejoined Mr. Collinson laughing. "I'll admit I kept their attention pretty well until you fellows raised that infernal din9. That tore it! So you've brought the old ship round: what do you think of her?"
"A rattling59 good little craft," replied the Scoutmaster.
"Thought you'd find her so," rejoined Mr. Collinson. Then he looked up with a puzzled air. "I say, you've got a new stick?"
"Yes, mast carried away in an accidental gybe in West Bay," said Mr. Graham. "We haven't had an uneventful time, and it's been quite enjoyable."
"It has," added Desmond. "I'm sorry it's over."
"The holidays aren't over yet," remarked Findlay optimistically.
"And you have a large and new cruising ground open to you," said Mr. Collinson. "If the Spindrift serves you as well as she has me, you'll have no cause for complaint. Well, lads, here's good luck to the Spindrift and her crew."
The End
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estuaries
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| （江河入海的）河口，河口湾( estuary的名词复数 ) | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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abeam
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| adj.正横着(的) | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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binoculars
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| n.双筒望远镜 | |
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spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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dispel
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| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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soldered
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| v.（使）焊接，焊合( solder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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hawser
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| n.大缆；大索 | |
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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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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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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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quay
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| n.码头，靠岸处 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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varnish
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| n.清漆；v.上清漆；粉饰 | |
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shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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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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tricky
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| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
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shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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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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hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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cant
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| n.斜穿，黑话，猛扔 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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caulked
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| v.堵（船的）缝( caulk的过去式和过去分词 )；泥…的缝；填塞；使不漏水 | |
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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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brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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42
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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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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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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48
manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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49
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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50
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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51
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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52
estuary
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| n.河口，江口 | |
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53
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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55
warp
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| vt.弄歪，使翘曲，使不正常，歪曲，使有偏见 | |
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56
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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58
yarn
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| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
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rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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