Lewis Powell: The conspirator who was "different."

[MaddieM]

Agreed. He had been thrown from his horse and knocked out (perhaps an apparent concussion - his face had been cut up a bit; having a black eye and a bloody lip). He had also gone for three days without any food or sleep. He was dog tired and dead on his feet so no, he was not at his "best" thinking wise or any other way. You are right in thinking that perhaps he was thoroughly rattled by the time of his arrest.
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As someone who has experienced being awake for 72 hours, I can honestly say I could hardly put one foot in front of the other, never mind function in the normal way. I could barely think, and felt so ill, I'd have gladly just laid down and died. I'm not surprised Powell made the grievous error of returning to H Street. I should think at that point, he was perhaps beyond caring if he got caught. Who knows if there is the remotest chance he was subconsciously giving up. Sleep deprivation is torture. Coupled to hunger, fear and stress, that he came up with the excuse he did, is little short of a miracle.