Then he stumbled against something taut and knee-high, and he found it was the tie-rope.
Leaving Marette with her back to the anchor tree, he went aboard.

The water was three or four inches deep in the bottom of the scow, but the cabin was built on a platform raised above the floor of the boat, and Kent hoped it was still dry.

He groped until he found the twisted wire which held the door shut.

Opening it, he ducked his head low and entered.

The little room was not more than four feet high, and for greater convenience he fell upon his knees while fumbling under his slicker for his water-proof box of matches.