“I wouldn’t be for going very far today,” said Peter Walsh. “It looks to me as if it might come on to blow from the southeast.”
“You’ll go out to Inishbawn first of all,” said Sir Lucius. “After that you can work home in and out, visiting every island that’s big enough to have people on it. The weather won’t hurt you.”
“Sure if his lordship’s contented,” said Peter, “it isn’t for me to be making objections.”
“Very well,” said Sir Lucius. “Get the sails on the boat. You can tie down a reef if you like.”
“There’s no need,” said Peter. “She’ll go better under the whole sail.”
“Now, sergeant,” said Sir Lucius, “I’ll just see them start, and then I’ll go back and listen to whatever story Sweeny wants to tell.”
Peter Walsh huddled himself into an ancient oilskin coat, ferried out to the Tortoise and hoisted the sails. He laid her long side the slip with a neatness and precision which proved his ability to sail a small boat. Lord Torrington stepped carefully on board and settled himself crouched into a position undignified for a member of the Cabinet, on the side of the centreboard case recommended by Peter Walsh.
“Got your sandwiches all right?” said Sir Lucius, “and the flask? Good. Then off you go. Now, Peter, Inishbawn first and after that wherever you’re told to go. If you get wet, Torrington, don’t blame me. Now, sergeant, I’m ready.”
The Tortoise, a stiff breeze filling her sails, darted out to mid-channel. Peter Walsh paid out his main sheet and set her running dead before the wind.
“It’ll come round to the southeast,” he said, “before we’re half an hour out.”
Sir Lucius waved his hand. Then he turned and followed the sergeant into Sweeny’s house.
The Blue Wanderer, with her little lug, sailed slowly even when there was a fresh wind right behind her. It was half-past ten when Priscilla and Frank ran her aground on Inishbawn. Joseph Antony Kinsella had seen them coming and was standing on the shore ready to greet them.
“You’re too venturesome, Miss, to be coming out all this way in that little boat,” he said.
“We came safe enough,” said Priscilla, “didn’t ship a drop the whole way out.”
“You came safe,” said Kinsella, “but will you tell me how you’re going to get home again? The wind’s freshening and what’s more it’s drawing round to the southeast.”