"Eh?" exclaimed Mr. Armitage sharply; then raising his binoculars he brought them to bear upon the spot indicated by the Patrol Leader. "Friends of yours, Peter?" inquired Flemming facetiously. The Scoutmaster returned his binoculars to their case. "Stand in a bit," he ordered. "There's plenty of water. Slow her down, Roche, and stand by. Unless I'm greatly mistaken, those people are cut off by the tide." The _Olivette_ approached at half speed to within a cable's length of the shore. Mr Armitage was correct in his surmise, for, standing on a narrow strip of beach were two men and two girls. The men were barefooted, as if they had vainly attempted to wade past the foot of the cliffs. Already the tide was rising rapidly, and in less than an hour their refuge would be invaded by the sea. "Away dinghy's crew!" exclaimed the Scoutmaster. "Be careful how you land. There's a ground swell running." The _Olivette_ lost way. The dinghy was hauled alongside, and into her jumped Stratton and Flemming, each manning an oar. Proceeding cautiously, they allowed the dinghy's forefoot to ground lightly on the pebbly beach. Flemming, with an oar, kept the stern end on to the waves, while the Patrol Leader held on to the bows. "Think we'll manage the lot, Peter?" asked Flemming in a low voice. "Four of them?" "I think so," replied the Patrol Leader. "Now, please," he added, raising his voice. "As sharp as you can. We're bumping a bit." It was a tricky operation, embarking the rescued persons, for none of them seemed at home in a small boat. "Sit down, please," ordered Stratton firmly. "You'll be quite all right if you keep still. Ready, Eric? Right-o, push off." By the united efforts of the two Sea Scouts the dinghy was backed clear of the beach. Then, when clear of the swell, the boat was turned until her bow pointed seaward. "Give way together!" exclaimed Peter. Awkwardly the four trippers climbed out of the dinghy upon the _Olivette's_ deck, whence they were assisted into the well. "Rather an experience, isn't it?" remarked Mr. Armitage. "Experience?" echoed one of the men bitterly. "It was a disgraceful bit of work. A boatman told us we could walk right round the point. We could--but we couldn't get back. He never said a word about the tide rising." "And you never thought to ask," mused the Scoutmaster. "There's not much harm done," he added aloud. "We'll land you in half an hour. Are you staying at Swanage?" "No, at Bournemouth," replied one of the girls, who, now that the danger was over, showed more spirit than either of her male companions. "So much the better, then," observed Mr. Armitage. "We can land you without going out of our course." "We are awfully grateful," said the girl. "And we are glad to be able to do you a good turn," rejoined Mr. Armitage. "That's where Sea Scouts come in handy." CHAPTER VI Why the Water Failed "Are we staying here long, sir?" asked Hepburn.