None the less she was afraid.

She stepped tremblingly down into the punt, and sat upon the broad wet seat.

Kate, without a moment's hesitation, took up the great pole and began pushing her way across the creek.

The tide was almost at its height, but even then the current was so strong that they went across almost sideways, and Jeanne heard her companion's breath grow shorter and shorter, as with powerful strokes she did her best to guide and propel the clumsy craft.
"We are going out toward the sea," Jeanne faltered.

"It is getting wider and wider." She flashed her torch across the dark waters.