“At last, on the 23rd, I quitted, though with regret (always expecting treachery), my new position, and approached the shallow or bank mentioned.  It was night when I arrived.  In spite of this I could understand, from the dreadful noise made by the waters, that I should have difficulty in traversing this dangerous passage even with the assistance promised me.  I was only too well convinced of the truth of this when day broke, and I saw that I had again been betrayed.  There was nothing to be seen of the work which the Moors had engaged to do to lessen the difficulty of the passage.  However, I did not hesitate to put out with my lighter boats, firmly resolved, if they arrived safely, to sacrifice the larger, with all that was upon them, to my safety, and thus to effect my retreat during the night.  With the exception of two, which were lost, they all arrived safely.  During this piece of work, which took up the whole day, I dissimulated my intentions in the presence of my hostages, merely letting them see I was somewhat surprised to find that, contrary to the promise given, there were no workmen, but that the army, which ought to have been withdrawn, was still close to us.  Their excuses were vague and unsatisfactory.  One of them, who, no doubt, knew the enemy’s plans, asked permission to go to their camp, promising to come back the next day.  Though his demand accorded with my designs, I agreed to it only after much persuasion, warning him not to break his parole to return the next morning very early.  This he swore to do.  As a rule these people think nothing of an oath.  I did not intend to wait for him, which his comrade clearly perceived, for, seeing that he himself had been sacrificed by his master’s perfidy, he approved of the resolution I had taken to set out by night, and swore that he had acted in good faith, and was ignorant of the treachery that had been concocted.  ‘You can,’ he said to me, ’have my throat cut.  You would be justified in doing so; but I will not quit you, even if you give me permission.  If I went to my own people, they would say that I had disclosed to you the trick which you have yourself discovered, and would certainly show me less mercy than I have experienced from you.’  After this I contented myself with having him closely watched.

“Orders being given to the remaining boats to start by night, I mounted on horseback to carry certain necessaries to my detachment on land, which was already a little in advance and had crossed a small river with the guns.  I had only three blacks with me, and none of us knew the way.  The night was dark, and we wandered from it.  I narrowly escaped being drowned with my horse, and at last we lost ourselves entirely.  If we had been met by any horsemen, nothing would have been easier than for them to capture me, our arms and cartridges being all soaked with water.  Luckily I heard our drums beating, and this told us in what direction we could safely go.