you goat. Don’t overdo things.”
The nose of a boat pushed its way out from among the reeds. Just above the nose of the boat was the head of Captain Nancy Blackett. She watched for a moment and listened.
“All clear,” she said. “They’ve gone up river. That’ll give us a bit more start. Come on.”
There was more splashing in the reeds as Peggy Blackett poled over the stern. The boat came out of the reeds into the mouth of the river and drifted out towards the lake. Captain Nancy took the oars. She rowed hard for a minute or two.
“Safe enough now,” she said. “I’m going to step the mast. Lucky we thought of taking it down, or they’d have seen it over the reeds. Hang on to the mainsheet, you son of a sea-cook,” she said with great good temper and satisfaction. She hoisted the sail.