He paused to watch a long, lean motor-launch glide past, overtaking the Olivette with the greatest ease, yet leaving hardly any wash in her wake.
"That's the sort of thing," he continued.
"For the Thames above London," agreed the Scoutmaster. "I wouldn't care to take her down to the Nore, but this boat would go anywhere."
"I wonder if I would be a good sailor," remarked Mr. Murgatroyd.
"You'll be able to find that out later, if you wish," said Mr. Armitage. "With a competent engineer and coxswain, you ought to get heaps of pleasure out of her on the East Coast."
"Good idea that," agreed the owner. "East Coast—bracing air, open sea, go as fast as you can. That's sensible. No ditch-crawling with two cylinders cut out and the throttle almost closed. I remember spending a pleasant holiday years ago at a little place called Brightlingsea. Know it?"
"I've heard of it," admitted Mr. Armitage. "Although during the war I was stationed some time at Harwich, I never put into the Colne, which is only about thirty miles distant."
"Will you take the Olivette to Brightlingsea for me?" asked Mr. Murgatroyd bluntly. "I'll willingly pay another ten pounds."
The Scoutmaster hesitated a few moments. He had to think things out. It would give the lads an opportunity of open sea work in a boat that they were by this time fairly well acquainted with. In addition, Brightlingsea was well on the way to Great Yarmouth.
"We'll manage it," he replied. "If there are no delays, unavoidable or otherwise; it will fit in with our present arrangements."