Escapes from Cayenne

46 " A t the break of day we looked around and saw nothing near us but mud and trees ; the water was far before, the land far behind. W e attempted to walk over the mud, but it was not possible, the ground being too pliant and soft. It was not easy, either, to go to the water. W e tried to j u m p on the trees, but they were too small and could not bear the weight o f our bodies. W e were obliged, therefore, to stay where we were, but we hoped, at the returning tide, to be able to sail again. W e were deceived in our hopes; the water did not come to our raft, which had sunk many inches in the mud since our arrival; we had no more provisions—not a bit of bread, not a drop of water. W e remained in that place for ten days, starving and devoured by clouds of mosquitoes, sinking deeper and deeper in the mud, enduring all the sufferings that man can endure." " But you could not stay so long without eating?" " The mud was filled with crabs ; we ate them." " A n d what did you drink ? " " W e drank our own water." " A n d how did you escape ? " " The courage of despair incited us; we had remarked that the water was coming, every tide, nearer and nearer the place where we stood.

Then we made another raft, and on the eleventh day, the water being higher than before, we put to sea again ; but we never could, though we endeavored many times, leave the neighborhood of the shore. Our raft was so badly fitted that we were obliged to take ground again, but this time we succeeded in reaching land, and walked into the woods, eat­ ing wild fruit, raw roots, leaves of trees, and whatever we found ; but having, happily, fresh water at will. W e sent two of our party, the strongest, as a vanguard to Surinam, and pursued our way.

Bochinsky was exceedingly tired; his legs were scratched in many places, and, being unable to follow us, he stopped, saying : " ' Death for death, I will die here ;' and he laid himself on the ground. " ' Y o u shall not die alone,' said Pianori ; ' I am young andstrong, and I will save you or we will die together.

Brethren,' added he, ' prosecute your journey ; if you escape, avenge us.' " Our exhortations, our prayers, could not change Pianori's determination—he remained with his friend. " W e walked and walked about, and finally arrived at a Dutch settlement.

Our vanguard succeeded in reaching Surinam, and sent us a boat; and we arrived here much harassed and wounded, but feel better now. " A s to Bochinsky and Pianori, we begged the Dutch au­ thorities to send in search of them. They hesitated at first,