The wagon was close at hand.
"Now or never," thought he; but this time it was not _now_.

The risk was too great.

If he failed now, two years of captivity were before him; and as for the hunger, he could grin and bear it for a while.
"Now or never;" but this time it was escape now or never; and he permitted the baker to pass without hailing him.
He waited half an hour, and then determined to take the road till he had crossed the creek.

The danger was great, but the pangs of hunger urged him on.

He was sure there were berries in the pasture, and with a timid step, carefully watching before and behind to insure himself against surprise, he crossed the bridge.