It may be that in one or two places even we might touch, but if we do, the bottom is firm enough for us to get out and float the boat over." But they did not touch any shoal sufficiently shallow to necessitate this.

Several times Francis could feel, by the dragging pace, that she was touching the oozy bottom; but each time she passed over without coming to a standstill.

At last Philippo said: "We are in the deep channel now, signor.

The boom is right astern of us.

The town is only a few hundred yards ahead." "Then we shall be passing the Genoese galleys, directly," Francis said.
"Row slowly as we go, and splash sometimes with the oars.