bank, but these showed out with incredible sharpness in high lights
and dark shadows. From where they were lying they could not see the
great curve of the quays, and the town in spite of the brilliancy of
the atmosphere looked drab and unattractive.

"Going to be hot," Hilliard remarked. "The bow first, if you don't
mind."

He started the screw, and kept the launch alongside the wharf while
Merriman cast off first the bow and then the stern ropes. Then,
steering out towards the middle of the river, he swung round and they
began to slip rapidly downstream with the current.

After passing beneath the huge mass of the railway bridge they got
a better view of the city, its rather unimposing buildings clustering
on the great curve of the river to the left, and with the fine stone
bridge over which they had driven on the previous evening stretching
across from bank to bank in front of them. Slipping through one of
its seventeen arches, they passed the long lines of quays with their
attendant shipping, until gradually the houses got thinner and they
reached the country beyond.

About a dozen miles below the town Hilliard shut off the engines,
and when the launch had come to rest on the swift current they had a
glorious dip - in turn. Then the odor of hot ham mingled in the
cabin with those of paraffin and burned petrol, and they had an even
more glorious breakfast. Finally the engines were restarted, and
they pressed steadily down the ever-widening estuary.

About nine they got their first glimpse of the sea horizon, and,