We were quite overjoyed at this piece of good luck, and
determined to walk very cautiously some distance from where the
Hottentot lay, that in case he awoke he should not see us. Keeping our
eyes about in every direction, lest we should meet with anybody else,
we proceeded nearly a mile towards Table Bay, when we fell in with a
stream of water. This was another happy discovery, for we were very
thirsty; so we concealed ourselves near the stream after we had
quenched our thirst, and made a dinner off the provisions we had
brought with us."
"But, Ready, did you not do wrong to steal the Hottentot's musket?"
"No, William; in that instance it could not be considered as a theft.
We were in an enemy's country, trying to escape; we were therefore just
as much at war with the country as we were when they took us prisoners,
and we no more stole the musket than they could be said to have stolen
our ship. Am I not right, Mr. Seagrave?"
"I believe you are justified in what may seem extreme acts for the
recovery of your liberty, after you have been made prisoners. It has
always been so considered."
"Well, sir, to go on: we waited till dusk, and then we continued our
march towards False Bay as fast as we could.
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