A gentle push set them moving, then the current caught them, and slowly they floated away into the night.
This done they crawled back again.

Their path took them within five paces of where that half-breed ruffian lay who had begun the talk to which they had listened.

Leonard looked at him and turned to creep away; already Otter was five paces ahead, when suddenly the edge of the moon showed for the first time and its light fell full upon the slaver's face.

The sleeping man awoke, sat up, and saw them.
Now Leonard dared not hesitate, or they were lost.

Like a tiger he sprang at the man's throat and had grasped it in his hand before he could even cry aloud.