But before the three "hands" could clear away the cable and release the compression, a long-drawn wail, followed by four short blasts, announced that the _Stormcock_ was approaching. In reply, Craddock gaily tootled the _Getalong's_ syren, until, grotesquely magnified by the mist, the squat little tug loomed up, her normal crew augmented by sixteen wildly excited Sea Scouts, since the Seals and the Eels had prevailed upon the good-natured Captain Weatherhead to let them "have a look in." It did not take very long for a stout hawser to be passed on board the tramp, and by five o'clock the _Getalong_ crossed Aberstour bar on a falling tide with less than two feet of water under her keel. "You saw no signs of the crew?" inquired Mr. Grant as he stepped ashore. "No, sir," replied Brandon. "The first thing we saw after we left you--sorry, sir, I didn't mean to suggest that you were a thing--was the east pier-head of Aberstour. Luck, of course," he added modestly. "Just as well, perhaps, that you didn't fall in with the crew," commented Mr. Grant. "I think that as soon as the fog lifts we'll go for a week's cruise, otherwise the best part of our holidays will be taken up with attending police-courts. "As a matter of fact it is lifting. Away home, lads, and tell your people we're off cruising for a few days. With decent luck we ought to be in Sablesham Harbour before sunset." CHAPTER X A SURPRISE--AND AN ARREST IT was late in the afternoon when the boats of the s.s. _Getalong_ reached the beach seven miles to the east of Aberstour. Captain Quelch had set the course calculating upon the tide being slack, but he was ignorant of the fact that on that part of the coast the tide sets two hours later on shore than it does in the offing. Consequently instead of making Aberstour, he and his crew found themselves, much to their disgust, seven miles from the town and the nearest railway station. Leaving the boats in charge of a fisherman, Captain Quelch inquired the way to the nearest village which boasted an inland telegraph office. From the latter the Old Man dispatched a wire to Mr. Fiandersole:-- "S.S. _Getalong_ foundered ten miles from Oldbury Head. All hands saved.--Quelch, Master." Then, having refreshed themselves, the shipless mariners set out to trudge to Aberstour. Footsore and hungry they arrived at the outskirts of the town, their appearance attracting a considerable amount of attention. "Where's the harbour master's office, mate?" inquired Captain Quelch of a fisherman. "And the Sailors' Home, too." "Up along the quay," was the reply, accompanied by a jerk of a tarry thumb. "You can't miss either of 'em." But, unfortunately for him, Captain Quelch was fated to miss both; for, on turning the corner of the street leading to the quay he stood stock still, his eyes nearly leaping out of his head in sheer amazement.