"And what then?"
"Gone astern," was the reply.
Mr. Armitage shook his head.
"Never in a light-draughted, single-screwed boat," he declared. "She'd never answer to her helm while going astern, and if the wind were abeam, she'd be blown to lee'ard of the man in the water. Now remember, if there's time, put the boat's helm over so that the boat's stern flies away from the person overboard. That is to avoid hitting him with the propeller, since men who have fallen overboard almost invariably try to swim towards the boat. Then, keeping 'easy ahead', make a complete circle and come up bows on to the man, keeping just enough way for the boat to answer her helm, and still get there quicker and with far more chance of success than by any other way."
"I'll remember that, sir," said Peter. "But I hope I'll never have to try it."
"And I, too," added Mr. Armitage fervently. "But one never knows."
CHAPTER XIII
The Bore
The Olivette saved her tide into the outer basin of Le Havre. She was just in time to enter the lock gates of the Bassin de l'Eure before they were closed on the falling tide. Meanwhile, the Acacis had berthed in the Bassin Vauban.