Hepburn saw the possibility, and, knowing how unhandy the boat was when going astern, ordered "easy ahead", at the same time putting his helm hard to starboard in an attempt to turn the craft up-stream.
Almost before he was aware of it the Olivette grounded. Carrying way until her bows were well out of the water she rammed her nose right between the two islands, swung round and listed heavily to starboard. A shower of leaves, branches of trees, and brushwood descended on her foredeck, as the wheel-house scraped violently against the verdure with which the island was densely covered.
"Sorry, sir," exclaimed the thoroughly perturbed Hepburn.
"Can't be helped," replied Mr. Armitage calmly. "You did your best. It was the current, combined with the slowness of helm, that let you down. Now comes the job of getting off."
Mr. Murgatroyd, who on the impact had narrowly escaped being jerked overboard, seemed delighted with the stranding. It was what he had anticipated. It was, as he had written to Mr. Armitage, "having some fun"—an episode without which, in his opinion, a cruise falls short of being up to the amateur sailor's standard.
Armed with his camera, the owner jumped ashore.
[Illustration: THE SKIFF TAKES A ROPE ASHORE]
"Don't get her off yet, Armitage," he called out. "I don't want to be marooned here, but I do want some photographs."