27 JUNE 1925, Page 27

IF the elements had dealt out indifferent justice to Mr.

Coles he would,not haVe returned from his adventurous cruise in safety. or in such high spirits. But Dibdin's sweet little cherub that sits up aloft seems to be invested with a special tutelary kunction in watching over the lives of poor yachtsmen. It is surprising how few of them meet serious disaster. The boat which Mr: Coles bought for his cruise to Copenhagen and back had little freeboard and was over-canvassed-a semi-racing type, particularly unsuitable for ocean work. At Nordeney, when_ he, and , his companions were on shore, the yacht was stolen. FortunatelY she was found abandoned a few miles away. If this ingenuous and jolly narrative it an incentive to other yachtsmen to undertake similar cruises, its publication will probably also be an incentive to Mr. Gillis himself--we shall hear of him undertaking more ambitious cruises under conditions no more in his favour. That is the

way of yachtsmen. They are often bitten, but they are never shy.