Reluctantly the Scouts and Sea Scouts bade each other farewell. The
former expressed themselves as being more than repaid for their good
turn by the trip in the _Olivette_.
"And mind you come to Weymouth again when you have the chance," said
Phillips. "Right-o," replied Peter. "But I hope we don't have to come
for the same purpose. We had a rotten time until we knew the
_Olivette_ was safe."
The Sea Scouts re-embarked in the dinghy. Bruin preferred to swim off
to the boat, but before he was hauled on board he felt very sorry for
himself.
The _Olivette_ was still rolling heavily in the long gentle swell. It
was quite a different motion from that in a seaway--a long swing-like
movement that would quickly put the most experienced seafarer on his
mettle.
Watching their opportunity as the _Olivette_ rolled towards them, the
Sea Scouts gained the deck. Roche made the painter fast, while Peter
and Eric Flemming lay at full length on the waterways in order to
haul Bruin on board.
It was a ticklish task, for the dog realized the danger of being
crushed by the boat's bilge keel as she rolled. Twice the Patrol
Leader made a grab at the animal's collar as the gunwale dropped to
within a few inches of the water.
At the third attempt his fingers closed round the scruff of Bruin's
neck.
"Got him!" he shouted. "Bear a hand, Eric."
Flemming leaned outboard to assist his chum. As he did so the
_Olivette_ began to roll in the opposite direction. Peter, still
hanging on to his pet with one hand, grasped Eric's wrist with the
other. Bruin's weight when clear of the water considerably exceeded
Stratton's expectations, with the result that the Patrol Leader lost
his balance and toppled overboard, bringing Flemming with him.
A roar of laughter from the rest of the crew greeted the reappearance
of the two lads. Both were good swimmers, and as they came to the
surface well clear of the _Olivette's_ hull, they were in no danger.
Even Peter and Eric grinned when they shook the water from their hair
and eyes, while Bruin, delighted beyond measure at the idea that his
master and Flemming were sharing his bath, began tugging at
Stratton's sleeve.
At length Roche jumped into the dinghy and hauled Peter over the
transom. Then the Patrol Leader hiked his pet over the stern and
assisted Flemming into the dinghy, while Roche scrambled into the
bows in a vain attempt to escape a shower-bath as the dog vigorously
shook himself.
A few minutes later the _Olivette's_ motor was running. The anchor
was weighed and secured, then with three ringing cheers for the 5th
Weymouth Troop, who still lingered on the beach, the Sea Scouts
resumed their homeward voyage.
CHAPTER V
Trapped by the Tide
It was one of those ideal days for cruising under power. The sea was
smooth, visibility good, with the sun shining brightly overhead. The
rugged coast, never more than a mile away on the port hand, presented
an ever changing panoramic view of the picturesque Dorset coast.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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