He was not the little merchant, but the little fugitive fleeing from the prison to which he had been doomed.
It did not take him long to make his toilet, which was the only advantage of his primitive style of lodging.

His first object was to examine his position, and ascertain in what direction he should continue his flight.

He could not go ahead, as he had intended, for the sheet of water was an impassable barrier.

Leaving the dense forest, he came to a marsh, beyond which was the wide creek he had seen in the night.

It was salt water, and he reasoned that it could not extend a great way inland.