"A couple of hands, sir?" asked Bedford.
"Yes, a couple," was the reply. "One will be company for the other until Bradley, Johns, and Dexter turn up."
Mr. Graham was on the point of asking who would volunteer and remain, but on consideration he decided that it was asking rather too much of the keen youngsters.
"Desmond goes in any case," he continued. "He will be in charge when I'm off duty, if we have to make a long passage. That leaves four of you to pick from. I think the fairest way would be to take two for half the trip, say from Bude to Plymouth, and the other two, when relieved, can come to Plymouth by train and carry on from there. We'll draw for it."
Producing three matches, Mr. Graham cut one in half and held the two long and two short pieces between his finger and thumb, so that the visible ends were perfectly level.
"Now, Coles, take one."
The Tenderfoot drew a short stick. So did Bedford. "That settles it," announced the Scoutmaster. "Findlay and Hayes take on from Bude to Plymouth; the others from Plymouth to Wootton."