"Not at all," demurred Mr. Murgatroyd. "I believe in doing things properly. What's the use of my handing over the Olivette to you unless I provide moorings for her? They cost money, I believe."
"And we've made more than enough to pay for them," said the Scoutmaster. "The troop was saving up to buy a small yacht. The necessity no longer arises, thanks to you, and——"
"Then say no more about it," interrupted Mr. Murgatroyd, with more decision than he had yet exhibited before the Sea Scouts. "I pay—you understand?"
The run round to Lymington was quickly accomplished. The heavy moorings were placed in the boat and towed back. Before the end of the day they were successfully laid, and the Olivette, securely tethered by the massive galvanized iron bridle, could now be got under way without the laborious preliminaries of heaving up both anchor and kedge.
"Now," said Mr. Murgatroyd, "I'm off back to town to-morrow morning. I don't know when I shall be able to run down here again. While you were away I had a letter from which I glean that I may have to go abroad for the rest of the summer—perhaps till the end of the year."
The Sea Scouts heard the announcement in silence. They were genuinely fond of the somewhat boyish and erratic Mr. Murgatroyd. From a personal point of view they wondered how his sudden change of plans would affect them. Would Mr. Murgatroyd sell the Olivette, since he was unable to use her?
But Murgatroyd did not give them much time to ponder over the disconcerting possibility.
"I therefore propose to make the Milford Sea Scouts a present of the Olivette," he added.
For a few moments the lads could scarcely realize their good fortune. Then they burst into a spontaneous round of cheering.
"Of course," continued Mr. Murgatroyd, "she'll cost something to keep up. That will be your affair, but I don't think it will be a difficult task for budding seamen such as you. There's one thing I might add. I happen to be a member of the firm of Murgatroyd & Murchesen, petroleum merchants. Incidentally it is a development of the Rumanian oil-fields that necessitates my hurried departure. But what is more to the point, I can guarantee the delivery of fifty gallons of fuel a month as a slight contribution to the upkeep of the Olivette. Directly I return to London I will have the ship's papers made over to you, lads, and I hope you'll have a thundering good time."