any signs of fear; arid were providentially enabled to pass, in the twilight, safely through the compact part of the town. Near the hay-scales in Broad Street, we went into the fields on the south-east of that street; and at a short distance from thence, without detection, we crossed the lines which enclosed the town, although these were strictly guarded. We then attempted to cross the road, and to steer our course between the forts by Irish's and Tammany Hill, in order to avoid the regiment of Anspach, which was encamped near by; but, as it had then become very dark, we soon found ourselves much too near for our safety. The darkness however prevented our re-capture: for, as we heard the sound when the guard was relieved at the fort at Irish's, we (to use a not unapt metaphor) were enabled "to steer between Scylla and Charybdis." We came out into the west road; and, having proceeded about eight or nine miles towards Bristol Ferry, halted at the house of Nathan Brownell, who received us with great kindness.
As the troops at that season of the year, were encamped in the fields, it was extremely hazardous for us to visit, at seasonable hours, those of the inhabitants who were friendly to the American cause; but still greater, and apparently insurmountable obstacles opposed any attempt to leave the Island, undiscovered. As the shores were closely guarded, we could not possibly obtain a boat; and our only alternative was to procure a number of rails from the fences, for the construction of a raft; and then to await a proper time for making an attempt to escape in that manner. This was truly the most hazardous part of our enterprise; for we were obliged to launch our frail and unseaworthy bark between two of the nightly guards which were stationed on the shore. But the same Providence, by which we had thus far been so signally favored, still shielded
