The eventful morning dawned fair and bright, with every prospect of a prolonged spell of fine weather. At seven the Sea Scouts assembled at their club hut, each with his kit-bag, containing blankets, change of clothing, and toilet requisites, and a haversack with two days' rations. In addition, Stratton carried a First Aid outfit; Roche, as troop photographer, was equipped with a film camera; while the Scoutmaster arrived with his navigating instruments and a bundle of Admiralty and "blue-backed" charts.
"I've just received a letter from Mr. Murgatroyd," reported Mr. Armitage. "He intends to make the trip with us. This is what he says:
"DEAR ARMITAGE,
"The boat-builders suggest that, as the river is in flood owing to the recent rains, we ought to take a pilot. We won't take a pilot; we'll have some fun. Bring a tow-rope, and, if she runs aground, we'll pull her off with it. I hope to join the boat at Oxford at 9 a.m. on Monday, but must be in the city early on Thursday; so, if possible, try and get the boat to Teddington by Wednesday night.
"Yours truly,
"JAMES MURGATROYD."
"I wish he weren't coming," said Flemming bluntly. "It's rotten having a stranger on board."
"He'll be all right, I feel certain," rejoined Patrol-leader Stratton. "By the way he writes he evidently means everybody to have a good time. Besides, it's his boat, and he has a perfect right to be on board."
"Plenty of time to discuss our employer when you see him," observed Patrol-leader Stratton briskly. "Come along; get on with it. There's a lot to be done before we go and precious little time to do it in. Roche, see that all the gear is taken out of the boat. You others carry on and make the hut shipshape. Hepburn, I want you to make sure that the windows are fastened. We don't want our hut pillaged while we are away."
Peter Stratton was a capable patrol-leader. He knew how to handle the troop firmly and judiciously. When he gave an order he invariably saw that it was carried out properly. Mr. Armitage knew the lad's abilities and was content to let a lot of responsibility fall on Stratton's shoulders; while, on the other hand, Peter never hesitated when in doubt to ask the advice of his Scoutmaster.