And that is how the Olivette became the property of the Milford Sea Scouts. What they did with her and how they did it is another story.
It was a month of surprises. Hepburn remarked that it never rains but it pours. Roche added that he'd heard that all good things come or go in threes.
One was the gift of the Olivette.
The second was a "twelve-foot" carvel-built dinghy, second-hand, but in splendid condition. It arrived at the nearest station on a railway truck, without any clue to the sender, except that it came from Oxford. The next day came a note from Mr. Jackson, asking the Sea Scouts to accept the boat as a little memento of a pleasant voyage.
The third was even a greater surprise. It was a cheque for a hundred pounds, bearing the signature "A. Trelawney". With it was a covering letter.
"DEAR MR. ARMITAGE, (it said),
"I was under the mistaken impression that your lads were trying to 'pull my leg' over the salvage of the S.S. Pent-y-coote. Inquiries proved that their account was not only strictly true, but modest in its details. I have been in communication with the owners of the salved vessel, and find that they are a small firm recently formed. They suggested a sum of two hundred pounds for services rendered by the Rosalie, and to save expense of litigation I accepted their offer. Since you stated that Scouts are not allowed to receive rewards for 'good turns', I trust that I have got over the technical difficulty by asking your Sea Scout Troop to accept the enclosed cheque for their Troop Funds. There are more ways than one of killing a cat.
"Yours faithfully,
"ANDREW TRELAWNEY."
And so we leave the crew of the Olivette in full possession of the staunch little craft—equipped and provided with funds sufficient for her maintenance. Worthy Sons of the Sea they are, and we wish them good luck and bon voyage.