Explore "The Secret of the Reef" by Harold Bindloss on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Jimmy and his companions sat on the balcony formed by the flat roof of the veranda in front of Jaques' store. It was a fine evening and a light breeze stirred the dust in the streets of the wooden town. Beyond the ugly, square-fronted buildings that straggled down to the wharf, the water lay shining in the evening light, and through a gap the sloop showed up distinctly, riding in the harbor mouth. On the other hand, a blaze of crimson burned above the crest of a hill and the ragged pines stood out harshly sharp against the glow. Work was over for the day, and groups of men lounged in chairs on the sidewalks outside the hotels, while here and there a citizen and his family occupied the stoop of his dwelling.
Jimmy had briefly related their adventures in the North, though nothing had yet been said about the party's future plans. Now, however, Jaques and his wife were waiting to discuss them.