"Yes, sir, I know," said the Sea Scout. "All we want is a hollow india-rubber ball, slightly smaller than the bore of the pump, and a handful of cement. Punch a small hole in the ball, fill it with dry cement, and then put it in water to set. That's your lower valve."
"Yes, and I fancy that will do the trick, Jock," agreed the Scoutmaster. "Nip ashore and see if you can get the things."
Findlay made a second trip in the dinghy. During his absence the others got rid of the bilge-water by the tedious process of baling out, since some hours must necessarily elapse before the cement would set.
On Jock's return the motor was started and the anchor broken out. At a modest three knots the Spindrift glided easily toward the open sea, as if to demonstrate the superiority of the little 2 3/4 horse-power engine over a pair of sixteen-feet sweeps manned by Sea Scouts.
Desmond was at the helm; the Scoutmaster and Findlay were engaged in setting canvas in contemplation of a breeze outside; while Hayes, armed with bucket and mop, proceeded to remove the mud from the ketch's deck and to clean the slimy ooze from the anchor.
"We're in luck, sir!" exclaimed the Patrol Leader, as Trevose Lighthouse opened out on the port bow. "There's a breeze coming up right aft."
It was a fairly long time coming, but when it did arrive the breeze was a fair and steady one. The motor was switched off and hoisted inboard, sheets were trimmed, and lee-runners slacked away. Although the tide was against her, the Spindrift was soon slipping steadily past the rock-bound coast.
Findlay set to work with the cement and the india-rubber ball. It was rather a troublesome task, as, in the rising wind, the powdered cement was blowing all over the yacht; but at last the ball was filled as tightly as possible and then dropped into a pail of water.
"It will be set by the time we drop anchor," he declared.
Three hours steady run brought the Spindrift abeam of Newquay. Then, clearing the Goose and the Chick—two outlying rocks—she squared off towards St. Agnes' Head.