"We've been done out of a little excitement," was Hepburn's comment after the Olivette had encountered the comparatively mild tidal wave.
"You speak for yourself, old thing," rejoined Roche. "I've still a lump on my forehead where I bashed my head against the deck-beam as the old boat stood on her head. In my opinion, bores are a nuisance, whether they are of the human variety or otherwise."
Monsieur Raoul de la Voie took his departure at Caudebec. He bade the Sea Scouts farewell and bon voyage, and the lads heartily thanked him for his kindness and hospitality.
"He's a proper sport," commented Roche.
"There was a time when I thought all Frenchmen wore stove-pipe hats, pointed moustachios, and tufts of hair on their chins. Going abroad widens one's outlook," he added sapiently.
Two days were spent at Caudebec. There was much to be done to prepare the Olivette for her homeward voyage. Her fuel-tanks had to be replenished, her oil-supply renewed, provisions and fresh water to be shipped on board, and various formalities to be carried out with the port authorities at Havre.
"We start to-morrow, lads," announced Mr. Armitage. "The fine weather is holding, but there are indications of a break-up in the course of the next forty-eight hours. We can't afford to be held up here."
"At what hour, sir?" asked Peter.
"Seven in the morning at high-water," replied the Scoutmaster. "With luck, we ought to be inside the Wight before sunset."
Promptly to the minute on the following morning the anchor was weighed, and the motor began its rhythmic purr. To save time, the Tancarville Canal route was to be cut out in favour of the passage of the estuary of the Seine, and, in accordance with the port regulations, a pilot had to be employed.