Farther along, more movement! Something, or someone, was following his boat!
They stayed well back from the shore. Still, from time to time he saw again the movement, glimpsed once more a stern visage.
He tensed as the current moved him closer still to that shore and its unknown inhabitants.
The boat ground to a stop, its lower hull lodged on the shallow bottom.
Demo took a deep breath, using the oar tried to pry the boat from its anchorage.
A small stream flowed into the river within feet of his position.
The bushes along the stream were moving! The motion came ever closer!
He climbed into the water, attempted to free the boat again.
It was to no avail!
He turned to the shore. They stood silently, stoic, watching.