By this time the tide was ebbing with considerable strength, its rate exceeding five knots. The danger arose of the unwieldy craft being carried out across the bar to the open sea, and it was only by dint of hanging on to fifty fathoms of rope that the men could keep the floats in check. During these operations one of the floats capsized in the rollers that were sweeping in over the bar, and before it could be righted Derek and half a dozen of his men had their sea-boots filled with water.
At the nearest point to the lorry where the floats could be grounded was an expanse of a hundred yards of soft sand. All the man-power at Derek's command was unable to drag the floats up the gradually-shelving incline, nor could the lorry be brought any nearer by reason of the yielding nature of the sand.
"Proper Marathon, eh, what?" remarked Derek, wiping the perspiration from his forehead.
"Pity we hadn't burnt these as well," rejoined Kaye. "Already these salvage operations cannot have cost a penny less than thirty pounds, and in the end these blessed floats will be sold for as many shillings to some blighter who wants them for fishing-punts."
"Service, my impatient lad; Service with a big S!" exclaimed Derek laughingly. "The main point is, we've got to bring these wretched floats back to the depot. I'm going to try hauling them up by means of the lorry. S'pose it's man enough for the job."
Accordingly a sufficient length of stout rope was lashed round one of the floats and also to the lorry. At the signal the powerful vehicle began to move slowly ahead, and, with hardly a hitch, the float slithered over the sand up the incline and on to the hard ground. The second float followed suit, and then came the task of loading up.
By the time the two floats, the dinghy, and the gear were piled upon the lorry there was precious little room for eleven persons, but the Royal Air Force men were not to be deterred by trifles. Swarming all over the small mountain of gear, and even perched upon the canvas awning, they returned tired but triumphant. At last the work of salvage was completed, although the actual amount of material recovered was but a moiety of the original sea-plane.
Upon entering the ante-room of the mess Derek and Kaye encountered Grainger, lieutenant and hydro expert. Grainger was in high spirits. His particular task was to get a hydro-glisseur into running order before he proceeded on Christmas leave, and in spite of numerous difficulties he had achieved his end.
"The priceless old thing has been running this morning," he declared. "I'm taking her for a spin up to Fisherton. Coming, you fellows?"
"Right-o!" replied Derek. "Hang on half a minute until I change my socks and sea-boots. I'm carrying about a quart of sea water in each boot, and it's beginning to feel slightly damp."