"But she goes out of harbour at four in the morning," remarked Hepburn.
"And we'll have to shift," added Mr. Armitage. "That's what I want to do—to shift on a falling tide on the mud, then by six o'clock we'll be able to clear our propeller. Now, who's for the shore?"
The Sea Scouts, after a "wash and brush up", landed via the deck of the drifter. To get to the top of the jetty was a difficult matter, involving first a jump of about four feet to the lowermost rung of a vertical and slippery ladder.
Bruin made the ascent in a kit-bag, to which was made fast a rope from the edge of the jetty. Considerably scared when released, the pup quickly recovered, and was soon frisking about, barking in high glee.
"Where's the pup to sleep to-night, Peter?" asked Roche, as the crew returned to the Rosalie.
"We'll rig up a bed for him in the fo'c'sle," replied the Patrol-leader. "A box with some paper in it will do."
"Hope he won't start tearing our gear in the middle of the night," remarked Flemming.
"Not he," replied Stratton, eager to champion his pet's good points. "He hasn't attempted to chew anything since he's been on board, except his food. I say, I'm sleepy."
"So am I," declared Roche. "It's the salt air, I suppose. And we've got to turn out at half-past three to-morrow. Out of our snug bunks, lads, into the cold grey dawn. Sounds cheerful, doesn't it?"
"Oh, it's nice to get up in the mornin'," chortled Woodleigh.