Just above his head was a cluster of palm branches, suspended in a line from the rail.
"I'll take the liberty of removing some of their floral decorations," mused Denbigh. Then signing to his companions to lie down he covered them with the broad leaves, cut the log-line, and allowed the punt to drift at the mercy of the strong ebb-tide.
CHAPTER XVIII
Disappointment
"Any oars on board?" asked O'Hara, after the frail craft had drifted a few hundred yards down the river.
"Not a suspicion of one," replied Armstrong. "And the bore will be due in about an hour."
"Hands, lads!" exclaimed Denbigh cheerily. "Let us imagine we're taking part in a Fleet regatta."
Leaning over the sides the men paddled with their hands, steering a course obliquely with the left bank of the river.
Once the punt tilted alarmingly as a dark heavy body rasped underneath. The denizens of the river were in evidence. The officers prudently suspended operations until the unwelcome intruder had disappeared.