* * * * * On the ninth day of her compulsory detention at Rouen the _Olivette_ renewed her acquaintance with her natural element. The work of repair had been performed smartly and well, and the bows were as sound as ever. She had been given a complete coat of paint that glistened in the bright sunshine. "Now, lads," began Mr. Armitage, when the crew had re-embarked and stowed away their gear, "we have to go into matters pretty closely. By next Saturday Stratton will have to be home if he's to keep that appointment with the Steamship Company on Monday week. We have five clear days to spare. What is to be the programme?" "Take advantage of the weather while it is fine, sir, and return by easy stages." "Quite a good idea," concurred Mr. Armitage. "It often happens that, when a cruise has to be completed by a certain time, a homeward start is deferred until the last possible moment. Then the weather may be boisterous, and the crew are 'in the soup'. Either they have to overstay their time, or else they've got to make a dash for it, at great inconvenience and possible risk." "After all, sir," remarked Peter, "although we haven't carried out our programme exactly as we planned, it has been a rattling good holiday." "And it's not over yet," added Hepburn. At two in the afternoon the _Olivette_ got under way. On the coach-roof over the engine-room she carried a new "twelve-foot" dinghy--a gift from Monsieur Raoul to replace the one they had lost in collision with the barge. Their host came on board to wish them _bon voyage_, and, at the Sea Scouts' invitation, he agreed to go as a passenger as far as Caudebec. "I am hoping," he said, "to raise a troop of Sea Scouts at Rouen. The only difficulty that presents itself is the time it occupies to carry out the work properly. I quite understand that an inefficient troop, run by a Scoutmaster who does not, or cannot, devote sufficient time, is worse than useless. However, I am serious about it, and if the scheme matures, then some day you might see a French yacht, manned by French Sea Scouts, sailing into your Keyhaven." "If they do, sir," said Peter, "they'll be sure to meet with a hearty welcome, although, I'm afraid, I won't be there to join in," he added regretfully. With the strong current, the _Olivette_ made a quick run down to Caudebec, anchoring under the lee of the Dos d'Ane before sunset. It was now close upon the neap tides, and the bore was not so much in evidence. "We've been done out of a little excitement," was Hepburn's comment after the _Olivette_ had encountered the comparatively mild tidal wave. "You speak for yourself, old thing," rejoined Roche. "I've still a lump on my forehead where I bashed my head against the deck-beam as the old boat stood on her head. In my opinion, bores are a nuisance, whether they are of the human variety or otherwise."