I did my utmost, by setting my back against the chests, to keep them in their places, but could not thrust off the raft with all my strength; neither durst I stir from the posture I was in; but holding up the chests with all my might, I stood in that manner near half-an-hour, in which time the rising of the water brought me a little more upon a level; and a little after, the water still-rising, my raft floated again, and I thrust her off with the oar I had into the channel, and then driving up higher, I at length found myself in the mouth of a little river, with land on both sides, and a strong current of tide running up.
Soutenant ainsi les coffres de toutes mes forces, je demeurai dans cette position près d'une demi-heure, durant laquelle la crue de la marée vint me remettre un peu plus de niveau. L'eau s'élevant toujours, quelque temps après, mon train surnagea de nouveau, et, avec la rame que j'avais, je le poussai dans le chenal.