I persuaded my wife (not without considerable difficulty), to
put on a sailor's dress, assuring her she would find it much
more comfortable and convenient for all she would have to go
through.
She at last consented to do this, and left us for a short time,
reappearing with much embarrassment and many blushes, in a most
becoming suit, which she had found in a midshipman's chest.* We
all admired her costume, and any awkwardness she felt soon
began to pass off; then we retired to our hammocks, where peaceful
sleep prepared us all for the exertions of the coming day.
* At the time this book was written, women always
wore long skirts. A woman wearing trousers would
be considered so shocking that if she were so garbed
on a public street she would probably be arrested
for indecency.
We rose up betimes, for sleep weighs lightly on the hopeful as
well as on the anxious. After kneeling together in prayer, `Now
my beloved ones,' said I, `with God's help we are about to effect
our escape. Let the poor animals we must leave behind, be well
fed, and put plenty of fodder within their reach: in a few days
we may be able to return, and save them likewise. After that,
collect everything you can think of which may be of use to us.'
The boys joyfully obeyed me; and I selected, from the large
quantity of stores they got together, canvas to make a tent,
a chest of carpenter's tools, guns, pistols, powder, shot,
and bullets, rods and fishing tackle, an iron pot, a case of
portable soup and another of biscuit.
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