Mr. Armitage thought so too. He was once more in his element. The narrow, tideless waters of the Thames, with their crowds of pleasure-craft, manned for the most part by inexperienced amateurs, were left astern. Ahead was a commercial waterway frequented by men whose business was upon the sea, and who knew the "Rule of the Road" by heart. The Scoutmaster could take the Olivette through the maze of shipping with confidence—confidence in himself and confidence in those in command of the craft he met, since "they knew their job". Failure to know it on the part of one would almost certainly result in an accident, possibly disaster; but a cool head and a steady hand at the wheel were sure and certain passports to safety.
The Sea Scouts were most enthusiastic over the change of plans. With the budding instinct of seamanship they welcomed the idea of taking the Olivette out to sea. There lurked a spice of danger, a possibility of being able to achieve something.
"Now," said Mr. Armitage, as the boat passed over the half-tide barrage at Richmond, "we are not ditch-crawling: it's sea routine. Stratton, you take the starboard watch, with Warkworth as deck hand. Roche will be engineer of that watch. The others, under Hepburn, will be in the port watch, with Woodleigh for deck duties. One is quite enough for the engine-room, except when starting up. Starboard will take on at the first Dog Watch. That will start the routine well."
As far as London Bridge progress was rapid, except when it became necessary to avoid lumbering lighters "shooting the bridges" with the now strong ebb-tide. Here the Olivette brought up alongside a wharf and refilled tanks, while the Scoutmaster hied him to Potter's to purchase the necessary chart.
"Will Gravesend suit for to-night?" asked Mr. Armitage on his return.
"Anywhere," replied Mr. Murgatroyd. "If necessary, I'll sleep on board. In fact, I'd rather like it."
It meant turning Stratton out of his bunk, but the owner didn't know that. On the other hand, should it become necessary for the Olivette to weigh she could do so without having to wait for Mr. Murgatroyd.
"I have a couple of rugs in my portmanteau," he continued. "It isn't the first time I've slept 'rough'."
"But we don't sleep 'rough' on board, sir," expostulated Roche. "It's as comfortable as anything, even in the lockers in the cockpit."
"Lamps all trimmed, I hope, Peter?" asked the Scoutmaster. "We don't want to be under way after dark if it can be avoided, but we must be prepared if the contingency arises."