"'Cause they don't want to swamp the dinghy with their wash," explained Desmond. "They've passed over the Ocean Bride's chains all right."
On board the on-coming craft a Scoutmaster and three Sea Scouts were visible on deck. They were showing no signs of coming to attention. One of the crew was handling a warp up for'ard, while another was coiling up a rope on the aft-deck. It was not until a third hung out a couple of fenders, and stood by with a boat-hook, that the crew of the guardship realized that the motor-boat was coming alongside.
"Dismiss!" ordered Mr. Graham. "Stand by to take their warps."
With her motor running free with the clutch out, the boat lost way, coming alongside so gently that only the faintest "touch astern" was necessary.
The two Scoutmasters saluted.
"Come aboard!" exclaimed Mr. Graham. "I've met you before, I think. My name's Graham."
"And mine is Armitage," rejoined the other. "Is Mr. Tweedie aboard?"
"Sorry, he's not," replied Mr. Graham. "He's over in France with his troop."
Scoutmaster Armitage had been glancing at the shoulder-straps of the temporary crew of the guardship.
"Southend-on-Sea," he remarked. "We hardly expected to find East Coast Sea Scouts down this part of the world."