126 



Harmon's journal. 



ing the apposite shore, before it would fill. We 

 were^ however, sadly disappointed; for it became 

 full, when we had gone about one third of the dis- 

 tance ; but it did not immediately overset. The 

 water, in that place, was about five feet deep ; 

 but the current was strong, and it soon carried us 

 to a place where we could not reach the bottom, 

 and the canoe overset. We all clung to it and, 

 thus drifted a considerable distance, until the ca- 

 noe was, at length, stopped by a few willows, 

 whose tops rose above the water. Here I had a 

 moment, in which 1 could reflect on our truly de- 

 plorable condition, and direct my thoughts to the 

 means of relief. My first object was, if possible, 

 to gain the shore, in order to free myself from my 

 clothes,, which I could not do where I then was. 

 But my great coat, a heavy poniard, boots, &c. 

 rendered it very difficult for me to swim ; and I 

 had become so torpid, in consequence of having 

 been so long in the cold water, that before I had 

 proceeded one third of the way to the shore, 1 

 sunk, but soon rose again, to the surface of the 

 water. I then exerted myself to the utmost; 

 but, notwithstanding, soon sunk a second time. I 

 now considered that I must inevitably drown; 

 the objects of the world retired from my view, 

 and my mind was intent only upon approaching 

 death ; yet I was not afraid to meet my dissolu- 



