He noted with satisfaction that they rolled the tyers neatly when they removed them, and that they both took care to coil away each halliard after they hoisted the main, mizzen and head sails. Sheltered by the high buildings fronting the quay, the Thetis lay with her canvas rippling in the light air, held only by the fore and aft warps.
"Let go for'ard," shouted Peter to his chum as he himself cast off the stern-rope. "Give her a fend off with the boat-hook."
Slowly the ketch gathered way. Craddock took the helm. A puff filled the towering canvas, and the water rippled under the yacht's forefoot.
"In fenders," ordered Craddock. "We're away."
Then with slacked-off sheets the Thetis turned past the pier-heads and was soon curtseying to the wavelets of the open sea.
CHAPTER XX
THE CURMUDGEON
Both Sea Scouts revelled in the experience. Nor was Mr. Clifton less delighted with the experiment. Provided his new crew kept up to their present form he could afford to congratulate himself upon having dismissed a drunken and untrustworthy paid hand in favour of two keen lads who already possessed a sound knowledge of seamanship.
Three hours later the Thetis rounded the bar-buoy at the entrance to Winkhaven. Peter was rather sorry that the sea passage was over so soon. He was also rather disappointed at the appearance of Winkhaven—a wide expanse of land-locked water surrounded by low, treeless ground fringed with mud-banks. There was a quay and a collection of houses, but they lacked the picturesque aspect of either Aberstour or Sablesham.