Beyond a few fishing boats, looking like black specks on the glassy surface, no craft were in sight.
They were about to return to the galley when, taking a last look round, Gervaise suddenly exclaimed, "Look, Ralph! There is smoke ascending from that island to the southwest.

There was none just now." "You mean from that bay, Gervaise?
Yes, I see it; it is not more than a light mist." "It is growing thicker," Gervaise said, "and spreading.

Maybe it is but a hut that has accidentally caught fire, but it seems to me that the smoke is rising from several points." "I think you are right, Gervaise.

Let us hurry down with the news.

It may be that it is a village which has been attacked by pirates who have landed on the other side of the island during the night, for I can see no ships in the bay." A few minutes' run and they stood on the shore.
"Quick, men!" Ralph said to the rowers of the boat that had brought them ashore.