From poop to bow there was not a light visible, and the hull moved through the water like that of a spectral ship.
Apparently we were unnoticed, and as the stretch of water widened slightly between us, I called out: "Ahoy there! Take us aboard!" I shouted twice, before a head popped over the rail, and stared down in apparent amazement.
"Hullo, the boat! Who are you?
What do you want ?" "Small boat adrift; two passengers; throw us a rope." "All right; standby!" I could hear his voice up above, shouting orders; there was a rush of feet, and a rope's end fell within reach.

The head bobbed over the rail again, and, a moment later I had helped her up a swaying boarding ladder, and felt the solid deck under my feet.

The intense darkness puzzled me, not a gleam of light showing anywhere.

Suddenly a hand touched my arm.
"This way, sir; help the lady aft--the deck is clear." I could see nothing, barely the planks underfoot, yet there was nothing to do but obey, with his fingers gripping me.
"What kind of a boat is this ?" she whispered.
"I 'm sure I don't know; not big enough for a passenger liner." "The officer is in uniform." "Are you sure ?" We were at the head of the companion stairs, and descended carefully, clinging to the rail.

The officer, groping in the darkness, opened a door at the bottom, and hurried us into the lighted cabin.