"You'll be there before us, old man," said Jock consolingly. "Since you've got to keep your foot up you might try lying on one of the bunks of the Spindrift in case there are any rats on board. They seem very partial to you."
"That's a fact," rejoined the victim bitterly. "I guess that rat knew I have a Naturalist's Badge."
CHAPTER XIV
The Missing Patrol Leader
Shortly after three o'clock Mr. Graham, Findlay, and Hayes trudged into Bude. They were tired and slightly footsore, but the prospect of taking possession of their gift yacht made them forget the effects of their long tramp.
On making inquiries for the yacht yard the Scoutmaster was directed to the canal, the lower part of which forms the wet dock of Bude Harbour. Outside the lock gates the harbour practically dives right out, and is accessible only at certain states of the tide. Originally the canal ran from Bude to Launceston, but, with the exception of a stretch of about a couple of miles, that waterway has fallen into decay.
"Where is the Spindrift, I wonder?" asked Findlay, when they arrived at the bridge crossing the canal.
No yacht was to be seen. There were a couple of coasting craft—topsail schooners both—and a few small boats lying in the basin. In the outer harbour a brigantine had taken the ground, and was lying with a pronounced list to starboard. Beyond that there was nothing that could possibly be taken for the Spindrift.
"We'll soon find out where she is," rejoined Mr. Graham. "Here's the office of the yacht yard."