Page 349 sur 483

Between two and three in the morning the moon rose; and I then,

putting my basket aboard a little skiff, sailed out about four

miles from the shore. The scene was perfectly solitary; a few

boats were returning towards land, but I sailed away from them. I

felt as if I was about the commission of a dreadful crime and

avoided with shuddering anxiety any encounter with my fellow

creatures. At one time the moon, which had before been clear, was

suddenly overspread by a thick cloud, and I took advantage of the

moment of darkness and cast my basket into the sea; I listened to

the gurgling sound as it sank and then sailed away from the spot.

The sky became clouded, but the air was pure, although chilled by

the northeast breeze that was then rising. But it refreshed me

and filled me with such agreeable sensations that I resolved to

prolong my stay on the water, and fixing the rudder in a direct

position, stretched myself at the bottom of the boat.