In spite of the noise thus made there was no challenge, and the little body of men, re-forming into an irregular line, presently arrived at the outer edge of the willow flat.

Here, in the light which hung above the river's surface, they could see the bulk of the steamer looming almost in their faces.

She had her landing planks out, and here and there along the narrow sand beach a smouldering ember or so showed where little fires had been made.
As a matter of fact, more than half of the men of the boat had preferred to sleep on shore.

Their muffled bodies, covered in their blankets, might even now be seen here and there.
Although the sound of splashing and struggling in the water and mud had not raised any of these sleepers, now all at once, as though by some intuition, the whole bivouac sprang into life.

The presence of so many men could not be concealed.
"Who goes there ?" came a military call from the boat.