738 NortH Carouina Troops, 1861-’65.

But it was only for a moment. The man pulled his gun
up, remarking, “I am not going to stick my bayonet into salt
water.” After this they stood for what seemed to us an age,
and discussed the disappearance of the target, finally con-
cluding that the “spirits had taken it away.” Then they
separated and moved off, widening the distance between us.

Now was our chance. Tying our clothes to the target, we
pushed it off and headed for the shore of the island, which
lay some distance from the fort. Though it was August, the
water seemed as cold as ice. Want of exercise had weakened
us, and though we made apparently good progress, it seemed
hours that we were in the water, and the tide swept us down
all the time. There was a lighthouse on an island opposite
the lower end of the island on which the fort was built: We
kept this light a little to the right of us as we swam, and
finally, after a long time—it seemed hours—we stopped for
a moment, letting our feet sink under us. We both touched
bottom at the same time, and, straightening up, we waded
ashore, pulling the target after us. We were almost frozen,
but as soon as we had put the target some little distance from
the water we set out along the shore to look for a boat, keep-
ing together for fear we might not be able to find each other
without a noise, if we separated, and not knowing whether or
not any one lived on the island. After a long time we came
upon a small fishing boat which had been dragged up on the
beach, and anchored so as to keep it in place. We pulled
the anchor up to the bow of the boat and secured it; then we
tried to shove the boat into water. It was so small that we
ought to have launched it easily; yet after moving it a cer-
tain distance, we could get it no further. I cannot tell how
Iong we were at this business, but it was a long time. Finally,
trying to see what kept the boat from moving, we found there
was a second anchor over the stevn. Cutting the rope which
held the boat, we shoved it into the water, and getting on
board we hoisted the sail and steered over towards the fort,
intending to take down the sail when we got nearer and pull
in for Reed and Sanders. It had been getting lighter for
seme time, but was not quite daylight. We stood on, but
did not go too near, for fear of exciting the suspicion of the

 

An Escape From Fort WaRREN. 739

sentinels, whom we could see very plainly. Finally, as it got
lighter and lighter, we reluctantly turned the boat’s head to-
ward the sea, as we could plainly see that Reed and Sanders
had left and were perhaps back in the casemates, having given
us up. . It was a sad disappointment to us. I believe we
could have gotten them off if we could have launched the boat
without delay. I afterwards learned that, waiting till nearly
daylight, they attempted to return to the casemates; but they
waited too long, and were discovered and put in close confine-
ment. Thurston and myself sailed by the fort, in plain view
of the sentinels on the sea walls, and after getting outside to
what we considered a sufficient distance from the land, we
headed up the coast, intending to land in New Brunswick.
All that day we sailed with a light breeze, and towards night
we ran close in shore to see if we could get something to eat.
We had no clothes except our hats and shirts, and we were
very hungry and thirsty. Just about dark we were close in
to the beach. Near the shore we saw a house and a man
standing in front of it. We hailed him and asked him to
come off, which he proceeded to.do in a small boat. He
looked at us very suspiciously, but listened to our tale calmly.

We told him we had sailed out from Portsmouth for a lark.

and had gone in bathing, and that while in the water our
clothes had blown overboard, and asked him to get us some
clothes if he could, and bring us some water and something to

eat. He went on shore and soon returned with some old

clothes, a good supply of plain food, some tobacco, and a

small bottle of cherry brandy. I am satisfied he knew what

we were, but we said nothing except to thank him for his

kindness, telling him we would remain where we were till

next day; but as soon as he was out of sight, we hoisted our
sail and stood on up the coast towards Eastport, intending to

land in New Brunswick. Had the wind held we should

have reached there before morning; but it was nearly calm.

Thurston slept some in the first part of the night, and at mid-

night he took the helm, and I lay down to rest. For two

nights I had had no sleep, and I was very tired. I slept
soundly. When I woke it was broad daylight; indeed the
sun was up, and the breeze was very light. We were not