I suppose it will be safe enough for us to venture that far ?" "Yes, unless the engineer has come ashore." "Is there any path ?" "Not that I remember, but there are plenty of dead rushes along the side of the bank.

It will be safe enough to go where we can look over." We moved forward slowly, but this time I took the lead myself, bending low, and feeling carefully for footing in the wiry grass.

The bank was not high, and once safely at its edge, we could peer out through the thick growth of rushes with little fear of being observed from below.
The darkness, however, so shrouded everything, blending objects into shapeless shadows, that it required several moments before I could clearly determine the exact details.

The mouth of the creek, a good-sized stream, was only a few yards away, and the boat, rather a larger craft than I had anticipated seeing, lay just off shore, with stern to the bank, as though prepared for instant departure.

It was securely held in position by a rope, probably looped about a convenient stump, and my eyes were finally able to trace the outlines of the wheel by which it was propelled.