"She is a sea-going craft after all, sir!" declared Roche triumphantly. "I thought she was."
"How do you know?" inquired Woodleigh sceptically.
"Because she has a compass. She wouldn't want one if she was designed for the Thames, would she?" replied Roche.
One by one Scoutmaster and Sea Scouts crawled through a very small doorway in the wheel-house bulkhead and gained the fo'c'sle, to which access was also obtainable by means of a fore-hatch.
"Quite spacious," commented Mr. Armitage, "and, what is equally important, dry. I see that there are four cots, so two of you will have to sleep on the side lockers in the cockpit. After all, a plank bed isn't so bad when you once get used to it. If it rains, then the fellow on the leeward berth will have to sleep in the after cabin, unless the owner doesn't sleep ashore, as I hope he will. And, by the by, it's as well that we didn't carry out Mr. Murgatroyd's suggestion and bring a tow-rope. There are some in that locker, I see. Get them out, Stratton. We're bound to want them, and we can see what we have got."
Examination showed that there were 50 fathoms of 4-inch coir rope and two 25 fathoms of 2-inch Manila.
"Yes, we've saved ourselves the fag of bringing a coil of rope with us," continued the Scoutmaster. "And there's an anchor and chain and a powerful little winch, so we ought to be all right on that score. Now stow away your gear, and we'll have something to eat. After that, Roche, Flemming, and Woodleigh, can give the engine a run. Warkworth and Hepburn, you'll undertake the catering. Remember, to-morrow's Sunday and Monday's Bank Holiday, so be prepared, and don't land us in the cart."