to darkness,
could see a great distance round us, and so could prevent a trap, though
once or twice we let our canoe drift with the tide, lest our paddles
should be heard. I could not paddle long, I had so little strength.
After the Isle of Orleans was passed, I drew a breath of relief, and
played the part of captain and boatswain merely.

Yet when I looked back at the town on those strong heights, and saw
the bonfires burn to warn the settlers of our escape, saw the lights
sparkling in many homes, and even fancied I could make out the light
shining in my dear wife's window, I had a strange feeling of loneliness.
There in the shadow of my prison walls, was the dearest thing on earth
to me. Ought she not to be with me? She had begged to come, to share
with me these dangers and hardships; but that I could not, would not
grant. She would be safer with her people. As for us desperate men bent
on escape, we must face hourly peril.

Thank God, there was work to do. Hour after hour the swing and dip of
the paddles went on. No one showed weariness, and when the dawn broke
slow and soft over the eastern hills, I motioned my good boatmen towards
the shore, and landed safely. We lifted our frigate up, and carried her
into a thicket, there to rest with us till night, when we would sally
forth again into the friendly darkness. We were in no distress all that
day, for the weather was fine, and we had enough to eat; and in such
case were we for ten days and nights, though indeed some of the nights
were dreary and very cold, for it was yet but the beginning of May.

It might thus seem that we were leaving danger well behind, after having
travelled so many heavy leagues, but it was yet several hundred miles to
Louisburg, our destination; and we had escaped only immediate danger. We
passed Isle aux Coudres and the Isles of Kamaraska, and now we ventured
by day to ramble the woods in search of game, which was most plentiful.
In this good outdoor life my health came slowly back, and I should soon
be able to bear equal tasks with any of my faithful comrades. Never man
led better friends, though I have seen adventurous service near and far
since that time. Even the genial ruffian Clark was amenable, and took
sharp reprimand without revolt.

On the eleventh night after our escape, our first real trial came. We
were keeping the middle of the great river, as safest from detection,
and when the tide was with us we could thus move more rapidl