under way. Our situation
was now very doubtful. The swamp was an unhealthful place to linger in; we had
been so greedy to bring treasures that we had brought but little food; it was
highly desirable, besides, that we should get clear of the neighbourhood and
into the settlements before the news of the capture went abroad; and against all
these considerations there was only the peril of the passage on the other side.
I think it not wonderful we decided on the active part.
    It was already blistering hot when we set forth to pass the marsh, or rather
to strike the path, by compass. Dutton took the compass, and one or other of us
three carried his proportion of the treasure. I promise you he kept a sharp eye
to his rear, for it was like the man's soul that he must trust us with. The
thicket was as close as a bush; the ground very treacherous, so that we often
sank in the most terrifying manner, and must go round about; the heat, besides,
was stifling, the air singularly heavy, and the stinging insects abounded in
such myriads that each of us walked under his own cloud. It has often been
commented on, how much better gentlemen of birth endure fatigue than persons of
the rabble; so that walking officers, who must tramp in the dirt beside their
men, shame them by their constancy. This was well to be observed in the present
instance; for here were Ballantrae and I, two gentlemen of the highest breeding,
on the one hand; and on the other, Grady, a common mariner, and a man nearly a
giant in physical strength. The case of Dutton is not in point, for I confess he
did as well as any of us.4 But as for Grady, he began early to lament his case,
tailed in the rear, refused to carry Dutton's packet when it came his turn,
clamoured continually for rum (of which we had too little), and at last even
threatened us from behind with a cocked pistol, unless we should allow him rest.
Ballantrae would have fought it out, I believe; but I prevailed with him the
other way; and we made a stop and ate a meal. It seemed to benefit Grady little;
he was in the rear again at once, growling and bemoaning his lot; and at last,
by some carelessness, not having followed properly in our tracks, stumbled into
a deep part of the slough where it was mostly water, gave some very dreadful
screams, and before we could come to his