About this story
A boat from a wrecked English yacht rows out of the dark with a letter asking only that her position be reported to a warship. Answering it pulls rescue and secrecy onto a collision course, and tows the Lightning toward the reef where Edith Travers watches strange sails close in from the yacht's rail.
How it opens
Carimata stood grey beyond a sea so still the brig's reflection seemed fastened beneath her keel.
The dying sun laid one red road across the water while every slack sail waited for breath.
ShawWe have not moved half a mile since noon, sir, and the current will begin after dark.
WasubThe western water carries a sound, Captain, but no hull shows against the light.
Choose
Set lookouts low as well as aloft; a boat can hide beneath this horizon.
Keep the deck quiet until the breeze declares its direction.