“When he’d gone I dashed down to the boat⁠ ⁠… could still see the⁠—the thing in the distance⁠—going round the bend⁠ ⁠… thought I’d catch it easily, but the engine wouldn’t start⁠—of course ! Took me half an hour⁠ ⁠… starved for petrol, I think.⁠ ⁠…” He stopped for a moment, as if still speculating on the precise malady of the engine.