Final answer:
The correct answer is option 4) The route along the water was much longer and would take too much time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reasons for not taking the route along the water's edge to Crisfield in the given context most likely align with strategic considerations during the time of slavery and escape routes for fugitive slaves. The choice to avoid the water's edge could involve avoiding areas without cover, which could lead to higher visibility and thus a greater risk of capture.
Additionally, it could relate to the possibility of increased difficulty in navigation due to lack of rest areas or challenges imposed by natural terrain or human-made obstructions.
Therefore, amongst the provided options, the one that aligns best with the passages is that the route along the water was much longer and would take too much time (option 4), since avoiding detection and maintaining speed would have been paramount in such scenarios.