"Hayes, my boy!" he exclaimed, when the fit of merriment was over, "I tried to play a little joke on you this afternoon; but, by Jove! it's rebounded on me with a vengeance."
"How, sir?" asked Hayes.
Mr. Graham explained. He was one of those people who enjoy telling a joke against themselves.
CHAPTER XXIV
Refusing a Tow
At the appointed time, the Spindrift's crew was augmented by the arrival of Bedford and Coles. The new members were delighted with the yacht and her surroundings. The only grievance—if grievance it can be termed—was that their share of the voyage had been shortened by the distance from Plymouth to Dartmouth.
"Well, what's the news from Wootton?" inquired Mr. Graham, after the two Sea Scouts had taken in the details of their new acquisition, and had been told of her exciting run round The Land.
"Everything's all serene, sir," replied Bedford. "Patrol Leader Bradley has got the rest of the Troop well in hand. Makes them do physical jerks every morning before breakfast. We had to before we came away at nine o'clock."
"You look very fit, Bedford," said Desmond. "You've worked down a lot of your fat."