The boys of the "Puffin"

"ANY luck?" Sea Scout Peter Craddock had heard that question many times before. It seemed to be a stock phrase with the numerous trippers at Aberstour whenever they attempted to...

AT the appointed time Scoutmaster Gregory arrived. He was a man of about thirty years of age, of medium height and of slim build. He had cheerful, open features and a jovial man...

Brandon was now at the helm. Craddock was on deck for'ard thinking deeply. The rest of the Sea Scouts were either in the cockpit or seated on the cabin-top. Mr. Gregory was belo...

IT was half-past two in the morning when the _Puffin_ glided in between the pierheads. Craddock made no attempt to steer for the moorings. He ran the boat alongside the West Pie...

"THIS has been a dud cruise, if you like!" observed Patrol-leader Brandon to his particular chum, Craddock. "Mind, I'm not saying that it hasn't been awfully enjoyable, but noth...

"You don't understand," repeated Mr. Fiandersole, head of the shipping firm that bore his name. "You don't understand, eh? Do you want me to put the proposition any plainer? I d...

"WE'LL have that jack-yarder aloft, lads!" exclaimed Scoutmaster Grant as the yacht _Puffin_ cleared the entrance to Aberstour Harbour. "It's going to be a fine day and a light...

THE fog had lifted sufficiently to enable the crew of the _Puffin_ to command a radius of vision of about a hundred yards--and within that distance was a steamship, bows on.

They were excited at entering upon this strange adventure, and a bit scared as to the possible results. On the other hand they had implicit trust in their Scoutmaster and could...

IT was late in the afternoon when the boats of the s.s. _Getalong_ reached the beach seven miles to the east of Aberstour. Captain Quelch had set the course calculating upon the...

The Sea Scouts were about to spend the evening ashore. An invitation had been received from the Lydiard Scouts to attend a camp-fire concert at a camp on the side of Blackbird B...

"I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.

"HALF-EBB," he continued, musingly to himself. "She won't float much before six or seven. It'll be broad daylight by then. I wonder where we are? Can't see any sign of land. It'...

AT 10 p.m. Scoutmaster Grant and his seven Sea Scouts began their five-mile tramp to Sablesham. The rain was descending in torrents. Behind them were the sizzling embers of the...

"Silverknoll Bank," he answered. "We might find a few sole up-along. Fish be tur'ble scarce--none of us fisherfolk can quite make out why 'tes. Last week--when my boy Jim broke...

"THE hound!" ejaculated Old Negus angrily, as he made a jump for the _Frolic's_ tiller. "Furriners they be poachers. Up for'ard, lad, and when I gives the word, let go the anchor."

FRANK BRANDON was surprised at his own coolness. Beyond a peculiar sensation somewhere in the region of his belt he felt calm and collected. Essentially of a peaceable nature, i...

THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship. It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the d...

The Otters were off duty. That is to say they had to "remain on the beach" while the Aberstour Sea Scouts yacht went away on a cruise with the Seals. The _Puffin_ was ready to g...

BOTH Sea Scouts revelled in the experience. Nor was Mr. Clifton less delighted with the experiment. Provided his new crew kept up to their present form he could afford to congra...

LEFT to themselves and with the big sheepdog as an entertaining companion, Craddock and Carline settled down to their new task. It was a decidedly novel experience to be "on the...

THAT night it blew half a gale. Secure in a sheltered berth the Sea Scouts could make light of the elements, thankful that they were not "caught out" in the open sea.

"I CAN trust young Craddock to do anything or go anywhere within the bounds of possibility," declared Scoutmaster Grant. "He's a bit imaginative, I admit, and apt to jump to con...

THE _Thetis_, although out of immediate danger, was in a pitiable plight. The wind was still fresh and the sea had worked up into quite a nasty turmoil. The damaged jib had alre...

AT six o'clock the _Thetis_, with her ensign flying at half-mast, staggered into Mapplewick Harbour. Willing hands assisted to berth her alongside the jetty--a willingness promp...