CROSSING THE SANDS.
23
bottom of the gulley in the mud, seemed only a trifling amusement.
My bags would fly out of my hands as I tumbled down, but I
always found them again. My poor Evening School Admission
Book, I fear, suffered a bit ; it was fastened by a string to one
of the bags. At last I reached the wall and clambered up. I
did not know where I was, but that did not matter. I knew 1
was on Foulness, and walked along the wall until I found a
Headway. I went down it and groped about, and at last
decided I was at New House Headway.
The island was so dark, I could see nothing, and we have
no roads; so I floundered about in mud and over grass fields,
and across one or two bridges which are solitary planks
(sometimes two planks) and which were very slippery. However
I crossed them safely, though not very easily. I should have
walked easier without my boots, but I had been obliged
to put them on at the headway, for it is composed chiefly of
broken glass, and tin, and iron rubbish. However, beyond one
tremendous tumble, which sent my bags flying over and over,
I reached the Rectory without further adventure, although wet
through, smothered with mud, and my shoulders so stiff that
for some minutes I could not move them. It was four hours
since I had left Shoebury. I had not been able to put my bags
down once in the sea. However I felt full of thankfulness on
reaching home.
I will not ask you to go back that way at night, but we
shall be delighted to put you up. Burnham is not much easier.
Are you a good walker ? From Burnham you walk four miles
along the sea wall, and then look out for a small oyster watch-
boat. You shout to the man, and he will put you over for 4d.,
unless it is too rough. I have had to sleep on the boat owing to
the wind, and my servant once had to do the same owing to fog,
but as a rule you can cross. About two miles over fields and
ditches will bring you here after landing. I can only promise
a warm welcome to atone for a rough journey. For a fortnight
I am living a hermit's life, but that need not prevent you
coming. I could get you a room if I could not put you up
myself. It is possible to get a cart from Southend for 15s. or
£1, or I could send a cart to Shoebury for about five or six
shillings.
A cart cannot cross to Shoebury within two or three hours