After dinner the two Scoutmasters went on board the Ocean Bride to acquaint Mr. Collinson with the alteration of plans, and to ask him to send for Bedford or Coles whenever they might be of use.
At two o'clock the Olivette's crew went on board their own craft in order to start up the powerful engine. While this operation was in progress Mr. Graham, Desmond, Findlay, and Hayes transferred their travelling kit to the motor-boat, after the former had given final instructions to the two caretakers of the guardship.
"If I were you, Graham," said Mr. Armitage, "I'd put your three fellows into different watches during the trip. It would give them a good chance to pick up landmarks when you bring the Spindrift back. My lads can put them up to a wheeze or two. As far as we are concerned, we now work the craft in three watches instead of two, when making long passages. I find it better for the lads in every way—four hours on and eight off."
"Right-o!" agreed Mr. Graham. "It's quite a sound scheme."
"No need for that arrangement to-day, though," commented Mr. Armitage. "It's only about an hour's run from here to Keyhaven, especially as we carry our tide. On Monday we'll put one of your lads into each watch. It will take us roughly about twelve hours to reach Plymouth without running the engine all out. It's only a matter of one hundred and twenty-one miles. —All ready, Flemming? Very well, carry on. —I believe in letting my lads act as if I weren't on board," he explained. "It gives them confidence and self-reliance."
"Let go aft!" shouted Flemming from the wheelhouse.
Promptly Bedford on the guardship cast off the Olivette's after warp. With the flood-tide boring against her starboard quarter, the Olivette swung quickly until her bows pointed almost down the creek. "Let go for'ard!" ordered Flemming. "Touch ahead."
Putting the helm down the young navigator threw the motor-boat's stern clear of the guardship. "Easy ahead!"
With cheerful adieux to the somewhat glum Bedford and Coles, the Sea Scouts saw the last of the guardship for a good many days. They expected to be back in ten days, but they had yet to learn the futility of fixing a time limit as far as a sailing craft is concerned. Even in the case of a powered-boat there was a fair element of chance to be taken into account when making a coasting trip.
The run down the Solent was only too short: at least the Southend Sea Scouts were of that opinion. With the regular crew of the Olivette it was a different matter. These waters were no stranger to them, and, although they revelled in being afloat, they were a bit tired of the enclosed channel between the Isle of Wight and the Hampshire shore. Having acquired the taste for exploration, they were never so happy as when navigating unfamiliar waters.