"Quite a smart little craft," exclaimed Mr. Gregory as they embarked in the dinghy. "Eight tons! Why, you could go almost anywhere in her. Our yacht is only about half that tonnage, and we've been as far as Cornwall and the Norfolk coast. Had lunch yet? No? Neither have I. But we'll get under way and grub as soon as we are clear of the harbour." This suggestion was met with unqualified approval. The Sea Scouts were not ones to let a meal stand in the way when there was chance to get an extra hour afloat. Very quickly they decided that Mr. Gregory was a jolly decent sort--one of the highest qualifications that boys can bestow upon "grown-ups." He was quick to express approval and keen to notice any act of smartness on the part of the youthful crew. He knew his job, too. The way he worked the _Puffin_ out of the narrow harbour, as if he had been used to her for years, proved that. It was also evident to the crew that he knew the approach channel, which was none too well buoyed, for without once referring to the chart or asking for information, he edged the yacht well to wind'ard of the Medlar Shoal and gained the open sea. "Here, take her!" he exclaimed, signing to Phillips to take over the tiller. "Course Test by South. We'll run as far as Otherport and beat back. How about grub, you fellows?" The suggestion met with approval, and forthwith they "tucked in," at the same time keeping up a lively flow of chatter. Presently the conversation turned to the subject of smuggling. "There's not much of that done nowadays," remarked the deputy Scoutmaster. "The coastguards and custom-house people are far too smart. The game isn't worth the candle, apart from the dishonesty of the whole business. Yet only the other day there was an attempt to run a cargo at Sablesham, where I live. A. vessel from France came into harbour and unloaded part of her cargo. Amongst it were half a dozen cases of boots consigned to one of the leading tradesmen in the town--the mayor, in fact. He knew nothing about them--hadn't ordered them. But he paid freightage and duty and took delivery. When the cases were opened they were found to contain--what?" "Tobacco," suggested Carline. "Hardly," replied Mr. Gregory with a smile. "The cases contained boots and shoes, but they were all lefts." "Not much good to anybody, then," remarked Phillips. "So the mayor thought," continued Mr. Gregory. "There was nothing to show where the consignment came from, and as the vessel had left they couldn't be put on board again. So after a while they were sold by auction. Some fellow from London, a total stranger, bought them for less than the mayor had paid for freightage." "Then where did the smuggling come in?" asked the Patrol-leader. "It was all done openly."