"I could take my course very well from the light reflected from the
stern lanthorns of the prison, guards, and hospital ships, and also
from the responses of the sentinels on shore; in the words, 'All's
well.' These responses were repeated every half hour on board the
guard ship, and by the sentinels. * * * These repetitions served me
to keep the time I was employed in reaching the shore;--no object
occupied my mind during this time so much as my friend Waterman, if I
may except my own success in getting to land in safety.
"I flattered myself I should find him on shore or at the barn we had
agreed to occupy after we might gain it. After I had been swimming
nearly or quite two hours my knapsack had broken loose from my back,
from the wearing off of the garters under my arms, in consequence of
the friction in swimming. * * * This occurrence did not please me
much. I endeavored to retain my knapsack by putting it under one arm,
* * * but soon found that this impeded my progress, and led me from my
true course. * * * By this time I had become much chilled, and
benumbed from cold, but could swim tolerably well. * * * I hesitated
whether or not to retain my knapsack longer in my possession, or part
from it forever, I soon determined on the latter, and sent it
adrift. In this balancing state of mind and subsequent decision I was
cool and self collected as perhaps at any time in my life.
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