islands, there was a huge cluster of lights in Rio Bay. But it was not quite dark yet, though the first stars were showing.
Swallow was sailing fast and in a very little time they were abreast of the promontory, and could see its great dark lump close to them.
“We must lower sail now,” said the captain.
He lowered the sail himself. He could not trust even Susan to lower it without making a noise. Then he wetted the rowlocks so that they would not squeak.
The Swallow drifted on past the point. Beyond the promontory was a wide bay with deep beds of rushes on either side of it. Somewhere at the head of the bay was a house with lights in its windows. The lights, reflected in the water, showed exactly where was the opening of the river mouth between the reeds. A moment later they lost sight of the reflections and knew that they had drifted too far.