As he passed through the outlet, one man bolder than the rest caught hold of him, and endeavoured to detain him.

But, leaving the blanket in his hands, and without other covering than his shirt, the apprentice dashed across the churchyard--next shaped his course down Saint Bennet's-hill--then crossed Thames-street,--and finally speeding along another narrow thoroughfare, reached Paul's Wharf.

Gazing for a moment at the current sweeping past him--it was high-tide,--he plunged head foremost into it from the high embankment, and on rising to the surface, being a strong and expert swimmer, struck out for the opposite shore.
Those who beheld him were filled with amazement; but such was the alarm occasioned by his appearance, that none ventured to interfere with him.
He had not crossed more than a fourth part of the stream when Doctor Hodges arrived at the wharf; but neither promises of reward nor threats could induce any of the watermen to follow him.

The humane physician would have sprung into a boat, but feeling he should be wholly unable to manage it, he most reluctantly abandoned his purpose.

Scarcely doubting what the result of this rash attempt would be, and yet unable to tear himself away, he lingered on the wharf till he saw Leonard reach the opposite bank, where an attempt was made by a party of persons to seize him.