Sea Scouts up-Channel

Patrol Leader Desmond had read the signal correctly, in spite of the fact that the light was fading and that the flags, owing to the direction of the wind, were nearly end on an...

Patrol Leader Desmond's chief inclination, upon arriving at Bude railway station, was to make the acquaintance of the _Spindrift_ as soon as possible. He had two reasons for so...

For the next two days the _Spindrift_ remained at St. Ives, alternately rolling like a barrel or lying well over on the bottom of the harbour, according to the state of the tide...

It was midnight before the crew of the _Spindrift_ turned in, but for once the regulation for "lights out" at ten was waived. Findlay and Hayes had to be told a detailed account...

At the appointed time, the _Spindrift's_ crew was augmented by the arrival of Bedford and Coles. The new members were delighted with the yacht and her surroundings. The only gri...

The crews of both boats assembled in the saloon of the guardship for dinner. It was a convivial meal. The lads let their tongues go with a will when they weren't eating. The two...

In the excitement no one had given a thought to the dinghy. She had been made fast to the shrouds, and apparently the violent wash had caused her to break adrift.

By the first post on Saturday morning came a letter from the yacht chandlers at Bude, stating that the _Spindrift_ would be launched forthwith and handed over whenever her new o...

Mr. Graham was surprised to find that it was just past midnight when he returned on board the guard-ship. Taught by experience, he had left his wristlet watch on board, knowing...

The Scoutmaster opened his eyes and blinked at the welcome light. The good news seemed too soon to be true, but right ahead the sun was visible--a watery disc looming faintly th...

Suddenly, Hayes was awakened by a slight jar upon the yacht's hull. He looked up, sleepily, at the patch of greyish light filtering through the starboard scuttle. Already dawn w...

"That is a matter for all of you to decide," said the Scoutmaster. "Personally, I think she draws too much water for the Essex estuaries. That would limit us to the deeper chann...

At the first streak of dawn the _Olivette_ slipped her moorings and made for the open sea. It was an ideal daybreak. Not a ripple disturbed the slate-grey surface of the water,...

"There is really very little to tell," he began. "As you heard from my wife, I was on the yacht off Ryde, having arranged to go ashore about nine. Just before seven I noticed th...

The sorry repast over, the crew repaired on deck. Headsails were trimmed, and once more the _Spindrift_ heeled to the freshening breeze. Godrevy Island and its lighthouse were p...

"That thought occurred to me," admitted the Scoutmaster, "but there's one flaw in the argument. The skipper of the _Gloria_ vouched for him. It might be a case of sudden mental...

At eight o'clock on the following morning the _Spindrift's_ navigation party "fell in" on the deck of the _Olivette_. Each member carried a couple of blankets rolled in a ground...

Not a breath of wind stirred the air. The sky was clear; the placid waters of Padstow Harbour were as smooth as a mirror. The smoke from the various chimneys ashore went up as s...

"I can hardly believe we're miles from home," chimed in Ted Coles, the tenderfoot or "greenhorn" of the troop. "My word, that shakes the old boat up!" he exclaimed, as a vicious...

"If you like," agreed Mr. Collinson. "As long as we stick to facts, I don't mind; but don't make a song about what I've done. I hate having to hear my praises sung and all that...

Shortly after three o'clock Mr. Graham, Findlay, and Hayes trudged into Bude. They were tired and slightly footsore, but the prospect of taking possession of their gift yacht ma...

The buzz of voices from the crowded fo'c'sle ceased. Ten boys, packed, like sardines in a triangular compartment twenty feet by ten, had had considerable difficulty in turning i...

Instinctively the eyes of nearly all on board the _Olivette_ turned towards the object of the policemen's presence. Gregory had spotted the representatives of the Law too. Mr. G...

The Southend lads watched the operation of "making her number" with deep interest. They had often heard and read of vessels proclaiming their names and destination by this means...

A sudden jar that shook the _Olivette_ from stem to stern promptly dislocated the trend of the two Scoutmasters' surmises. For thirty seconds or more the motors laboured heavily...