The keel of the rowboat touched bottom.

She heard the grating sound as the boat grounded, but knew that she was not so firmly aground that she could not get away.
The men in the rowboat found neither the dipper nor the boat of which they were in pursuit.

Instead of rowing on, they craftily turned sharply in toward shore in order to get the benefit of the shadows.

One within the shadow could see out fairly well, but to one who was out in the lake, the shores and the water for some rods about were enveloped in blackness.
"Pull out a little, but keep close to the shore," commanded a voice.
"That fellow played some sort of trick on us and has gone on.

It's curious we didn't hear him.