"Now you're all shipshape and Bristol fashion!" exclaimed Mr. Armitage.
"Thanks largely to your assistance," added Mr. Graham.
The Scoutmaster of the Milford Troop made a deprecatory gesture.
"That's nothing much," he protested. "It's all part of the game—the Brotherhood of the Sea. We've been helped out of difficulties before to-day, and much of the zest of life is derived from helping others."
"I hope we may never have to do you a good turn of this sort, Armitage," said Mr. Graham, "but, if we do, you will know that it will be a pleasure for us to do so. One never knows."
"That's a fact," declared Mr. Armitage sententiously. "No doubt we'll come across you again, especially as you're keeping the Spindrift in commission on the Solent."
At two o'clock the Spindrift got under way, amidst an exchange of hearty cheers between the two troops. Outside Keyhaven they picked up a favourable breeze, but progress was slow owing to the foul tide. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant sail, and it was six o'clock before the tide changed and swept the yacht quickly through Cowes Roads.
"There's our home port," exclaimed Desmond, as the yacht rounded Old Castle Point and opened up the wooded shores of Osborne Bay. "Wonder if the other fellows will spot us when we're abreast of Wootton Rocks."
"Sure thing," declared Findlay. "Patrol Leader Bradley is dead nuts on watchkeeping. I don't suppose many craft pass within sight of the guardship without his knowing it."
"We shall see," rejoined Desmond. "I don't suppose they expect us before the beginning of next week."