Escapes from Cayenne

34 The want of food awakes me and some of my companions; we go out, searching for provisions, and meet many savages.

I can not say they are indecently dressed, because they are not dressed at all; but their skin is painted red. They refuse us provisions.

W e ask them, by signs, if there are any Dutch settlements in the neighborhood. They point with their fingers in several directions, and fly into the woods. Soon after we see canoes with Indians crossing the river and going to the French shore, which is about two miles distant. W e don't think it prudent to stay longer in this place ; it is preferable to search for a Dutch plantation, where we may find a better hospitality.

W e awake our friends and march together along the bank of the Maroni, trusting to meet civilized men. It is about 4 o ' ­ clock in the afternoon, and there is low water.

W e walk without any accident until about eight or nine o'clock, when we begin to find the ground softer and sink into the mud ; we g o a little more to the right, but the ground is worse than it was before ; it is impossible to go farther, and we must return whence we came. W e resolve among us to go back, to embark again on our raft, and to try to ascend the river b y water ; — but the ground grows softer and softer, and finally becomes rather liquid. ( T h e flood is the cause of it, diluting the mud on which we are walking.)

Our position is far from being comfortable. W e are exceedingly tired, hungry and sleepy, but love of life strengthens us and we continue our journey through the mud, in darkness, and often call one upon the other, to prevent the missing of any of us.

The tallest man of the troop has mud to his knees, and he calls for Bivors assistance.

Bivors is the shortest o f us, but he is good hearted and most courageous; he runs in the direction in which he has heard the voice, but when he is near his companion he has mud to the girdle. Then he says to his comrade : " Y o u are twice as tall and three times as strong as I ; please to help yourself and do as I do ; " and Bivors, who is a clever fellow, pulls off his coat, throws it on the mud and walks upon it.

His friend follows his good example, and both, the Giant and the Dwarf, are out of danger.

W e go hobbling along, but we never stand together; we never j o i n our feet; on the contrary, we make large paces to prevent our sinking, and at last we reach a solid ground.

We drink fresh water for our supper, and afterwards count our­ selves. Several are missing. W e divide into two parties ; one goes back in search of our missing brethren, and the other takes rest.

The discovering party finds one lying down and sleeping— they awake him and tell him to follow them; they meet another