"How was my Patrol-leader to know?" asked Mr. Armitage; "or any of us for that matter? Surely you could have warned people, and saved the youngster getting wet through just for your amusement."
"My amusement!" echoed the other. "I like that. If we were to start warning people, there'd be a crowd knocking around, and that would spoil the picture. That's why we camouflage the camera."
By this time the "villain" of the film had paddled back, after retrieving the swamped canoe and the dummy, while Stratton had swum ashore, landing a full hundred yards lower down than the spot where he had entered the water, so strong was the current.
The Patrol-leader hurried towards the group, water streaming from his saturated clothes and a broad grin on his face. He was the first to "see the funny side of it ", and his mirth was infectious. The others all joined in.
"After all," declared the manager of the film company, "there's not much harm done. We stopped the reel, so that's not wasted, although if I'd thought about it we might have made something of it. 'Gallant rescue by Sea Scout' stunt. Sorry you got your clothes wet, m' lad, but you look pretty healthy, and a wetting won't hurt if you go back at once and change. Plucky lad that, sir."
"I suppose I ought to thank you for your gallantry in attempting to save me," said a lady's voice, and, turning, Peter saw the living counterpart of the dummy—a tall, graceful girl, who was accompanied by the villain of the piece, and apparently on the best of terms.
"Show's off for to-day," decided the manager. "We'll have to get the lay figure dry and presentable. Now hook it, young man, and change your gear."
The assembly broke up, Peter to run back along the tow-path, the cinema actors to pack up and return to their quarters, while Mr. Armitage and the rest of the Patrol continued their tour of investigation.
When, after having inspected the lock, the Sea Scouts returned to the Olivette, they found Peter in his bunk, while his clothes festooned the open cockpit.
The Patrol-leader came in for a good deal of chaff from his companions, who, in spite of the ludicrous ending of the episode, were proud of their plucky chum.