"If we could only run out the big warp to the other bank," suggested Peter tentatively.
"Unfortunately we've no dinghy," commented Mr. Armitage. "We'll have to wait until a boat comes along."
They waited a very long time. Already the sun was well down in the north-western sky. Two more hours would see darkness closing down upon the stranded craft. Even the hitherto hilarious Mr. Murgatroyd began to show signs of anxiety.
"Couldn't I swim to the other bank with a light line, sir?" asked Warkworth.
Mr. Armitage shook his head.
"You're a good swimmer, Warkworth," he replied, "but the current's too strong. Even without the drag of a light line you would have great difficulty in getting across. Hampered by a rope your chances of success would be nil. We'll have to wait."
A few minutes later a pair-oared skiff, manned by four scouts, came laboriously up stream. In reply to a hail from the Olivette they pulled alongside.
"Only too glad to help you, sir," replied one of the scouts. "My word, you are on it."
At Mr. Armitage's suggestion two of the scouts came on board the Olivette, and their places in the skiff were taken up by a heavy coil of 4-inch grass rope.
Thrice the skiff essayed the task of crossing the river. Twice the pull of the current against the floating grass-rope baulked the efforts of the scouts, but the third time, by dint of pulling obliquely against the stream, they established communication with the right bank, and the warp was made fast to a tree trunk.