He noted with satisfaction that they rolled the tyers neatly when they removed them, and that they both took care to coil away each halliard after they hoisted the main, mizzen and head sails. Sheltered by the high buildings fronting the quay, the _Thetis_ lay with her canvas rippling in the light air, held only by the fore and aft warps. "Let go for'ard," shouted Peter to his chum as he himself cast off the stern-rope. "Give her a fend off with the boat-hook." Slowly the ketch gathered way. Craddock took the helm. A puff filled the towering canvas, and the water rippled under the yacht's forefoot. "In fenders," ordered Craddock. "We're away." Then with slacked-off sheets the _Thetis_ turned past the pier-heads and was soon curtseying to the wavelets of the open sea. CHAPTER XX THE CURMUDGEON BOTH Sea Scouts revelled in the experience. Nor was Mr. Clifton less delighted with the experiment. Provided his new crew kept up to their present form he could afford to congratulate himself upon having dismissed a drunken and untrustworthy paid hand in favour of two keen lads who already possessed a sound knowledge of seamanship. Three hours later the _Thetis_ rounded the bar-buoy at the entrance to Winkhaven. Peter was rather sorry that the sea passage was over so soon. He was also rather disappointed at the appearance of Winkhaven--a wide expanse of land-locked water surrounded by low, treeless ground fringed with mud-banks. There was a quay and a collection of houses, but they lacked the picturesque aspect of either Aberstour or Sablesham. "Do we bring up here, sir?" he enquired. "No, we are going right up the river as far as we can go," replied Mr. Clifton. "It's a tidal river for nearly five miles, with a small town--Ravensholm--at the end. Edge her off a bit, Peter. There's a mud-spit extending a good ten yards outside that beacon." Presently Craddock noticed a narrow gap in the shore that marked the mouth of Ravensholm River. Here the wind headed the yacht and the _Thetis_ had to make a number of short tacks. It was exhilarating work beating to wind'ard in a stiff breeze, and for a considerable time both Sea Scouts had plenty to do to tend sheets, since Mr. Clifton had taken the helm. Then the river took an abrupt turn. The wind was now abeam, and the _Thetis_ travelled fast, "full and bye." The land, too, was beginning to assume a hilly nature, with yellowish cliffs here and there where countless ages ago the river had cut a passage through. On the banks were several people who regarded the yacht with considerable interest, since strangers who came to Ravensholm by water were few and far between. To one of these, a burly bearded farmer, the skipper of the _Thetis_ waved a greeting. "Afternoon, Mr. Thorley," he shouted. "How are you?" "Muddlin', thank you," was the reply. "Will you be wanting any milk tonight, sir?" "Rather," shouted Mr. Clifton. "We'll be coming along as soon as we've moored up."