You hurry back towards the boats.
Closest to the pier is the canoe—it’s quick into the water, but the only sign of a paddle is the broken-off handle end.
Leaving the canoe to drift, you resign yourself to the paddle boat.
Pushing off from the dock you steer toward the figures on the lake. At first you try for stealth, but the churning of the paddle cannot be quieted. Throwing caution to the wind you plunge ahead, as you get closer the figures become clearer,