There was not a soul on the wharf and, putting the stores down at the top of the steps, they watched Jules who, after taking off his boots, went across a plank to the ship, made his way noiselessly out on to the bow, swinging himself down into the boat, loosening the head rope before he did so.

A push with the oar against the ship's bow sent the boat alongside the quay, and he then worked her along, with his hands against the wall, until he reached the steps.
The stores were at once transferred to the boat, and they pushed it out into the stream.

The tide had but just turned to run out and, for half a mile, they allowed her to drift down the river.

By this time the light was broadening out in the sky.

Jules stepped the mast and hoisted the sail, and then seated himself in the stern and put an oar out in the hole cut for it to steer with.