And at first this frightened us, and we stood looking at them, almost expecting armed men to rise from the dark hollows of the boats and fall on us.
Then I would see if such were there, and stepped softly into the nearest.

It was empty, and so was the next, and these were our two.
Dudda came after me, and he hissed to me under his breath.

The oars had been muffled with sacking.
Now none but a friend would have done this, unless it was a most crafty trap to take us withal; and yet to leave the boats as they were had been surer than to meddle with them, if such was meant.
Now Dudda, perplexed as I, though in my heart was a thought that after all Elgar had escaped, stepped into the large boat, and there he started back so suddenly as almost to overturn it, smothering a cry.

Then was silence for a moment, while I for my part drew my dagger.

Then I saw him stoop down, and again he hissed to me.