They could not make out the prahus, lying as they did against the shadow of the trees on the farther side, but they could see a number of lights, apparently from swinging lanterns, and hear a loud murmur of voices.
"Easy all," the lieutenant ordered now; "back her very quietly; now pull bow." Noiselessly the boat was brought round, and its head directed to the right hand bank.

They had passed a sharp bend nearly half a mile back, and the lieutenant said, "Look out for a landing place at the deepest point of the curve, Harris." "Aye, aye, sir!" the coxswain said, standing up.

A minute later he brought the boat alongside, at a point which was free from bushes, and where the bank was but two feet above the water's edge..