Repairing to the Three Tuns inn, the little party made a good meal; then they returned to the wherry and set off on their adventure. The tide was still running up, but the force of the wind had sensibly diminished, and they made good progress toward their destination.
The sun was setting behind them, and a slight haze crept over the river. Presently the Santa Maria hove in sight.
“All’s quiet on deck,” said Gollop, looking eagerly ahead. “They feel pretty snug: so much the better.”
The approach of the wherry was apparently not noticed on board. It had drawn under the vessel’s quarter before Boulter raised a hail.
“Santa Maria ahoy!” he called.
A dark face showed itself above the gunwale.
“Captain aboard?” said Boulter.
The man nodded.
“I want a word with him,” the waterman continued.
There was no answer: the man simply stared.