About midnight the horizon began to be overcast; and the darkness increased until in the thick forest, I could scarcely see a yard before me.
Fearing that I might lose my way and wander towards the plantation, instead of from it, I resolved to wait until day.

I laid down upon a little hillock, and fell asleep.
When I awoke it was broad day.

The clouds had vanished, and the hot sunshine fell through the trees upon my face.

I started up, realizing my situation, and darted onward.

My object was to reach the great road by which we had travelled when we came out from Virginia.