"Craddock, Phillips and I are going to stand by," replied the Scoutmaster. "There's no danger unless we're run down by another vessel. Between us I think we can manage all right till the Stormcock arrives."
The Puffin departed on her errand.
Mr. Grant told the two Scouts to come on board and hoist in the dinghy.
"Now," he continued briskly. "There's some bilge water to be got rid of. It's lucky I know something—not much, though—of steam engines. We'll try getting the donkey engine to work."
Coals were shovelled into the foremost boiler. Slowly but surely the needle of the pressure gauge rose until the head of steam was sufficient for the work required.
In less than half an hour the steam bilge-pipes were at work, throwing huge jets of water over the side, while in a couple of hours the Getalong was again in her normal trim.
{Illustration: "THE SQUAT LITTLE TUG LOOMED UP, HER CREW AUGMENTED BY SIXTEEN WILDLY EXCITED SEA SCOUTS."
[P. 61}
That was all that could be done, at least for the time being. A tedious wait ensued, until Mr. Grant decided that they ought to anchor.