But all he said was: "Dead slow, now, Captain Alden!" As the cliff drew near, its black brows ate across the sky, devouring stars.

The Master spoke in Arabic to Rrisa, who seized a boat hook and came forward.

Out of the gloom small wharf advanced to meet the launch.

The boat-hook caught; the launch, easing to a stop, cradled against the stringpiece.
Rrisa held with the hook, while Bohannan and Alden clambered out.
Before the Master left, he bent and seemed to be manipulating something in the bottom of the launch.

Then he stepped to the engine.
"Out, Rrisa," he commanded, "and hold hard with the hook, now!" The Arab obeyed.