He could hear the creaking of the oars and the men talking, but they turned again suddenly and rowed up the stream.

Again, his fate had hung on a chance impulse.

He drifted slowly on until the town and the bluffs sank in the darkness.

Then he drew himself upon his plank and swam, doubling his speed.

He knew that some of the Union gunboats lay not far below, and, when he rounded a curve, he saw a light in the stream, but near the shore.
He approached cautiously, knowing that the men on the vessel would be on guard against secret attack, and presently he discerned the outlines of a sidewheel steamer, converted into a warship and bearing guns.