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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 01:54:11 -0700 |
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diff --git a/22792-h/22792-h.htm b/22792-h/22792-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5afae81 --- /dev/null +++ b/22792-h/22792-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9154 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Perils And Captivity, by Patrick Maxwell (translator). + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + visibility: hidden; + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .chapheader {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;} + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .hangin {margin-left: 0em; + margin-top: 0em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + padding-left: 2em; + text-indent: -2em;} + .chapnum {text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; font-weight: bold;} + .chapsum {text-align: left;} + .chappage {text-align: right; vertical-align: bottom;} + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Perils and Captivity, by +Charlotte-Adélaïde [née Picard] Dard and Pierre Raymond de Brisson and Jean Godin + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Perils and Captivity + Comprising The sufferings of the Picard family after the + shipwreck of the Medusa, in the year 1816; Narrative of + the captivity of M. de Brisson, in the year 1785; Voyage + of Madame Godin along the river of the Amazons, in the + year 1770. + +Author: Charlotte-Adélaïde [née Picard] Dard + Pierre Raymond de Brisson + Jean Godin + +Translator: Patrick Maxwell + +Release Date: September 28, 2007 [EBook #22792] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERILS AND CAPTIVITY *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>PERILS AND CAPTIVITY;</h1> + +<p class="center">COMPRISING</p> + +<h2>THE SUFFERINGS OF THE PICARD FAMILY</h2> +<h3>AFTER THE SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA, +IN THE YEAR 1816.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> + +<h2>NARRATIVE</h2> +<h3>OF THE CAPTIVITY OF M. DE BRISSON, +IN THE YEAR 1785.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> + +<h2>VOYAGE OF MADAME GODIN</h2> +<h3>ALONG THE RIVER OF THE AMAZONS, +IN THE YEAR 1770.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 35%;" /> + +<p class="center">EDINBURGH:<br /> +PRINTED FOR CONSTABLE AND CO.<br /> +AND<br /> +THOMAS HURST AND CO. LONDON.</p> + +<p class="center">1827.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>The expeditions in which it is attempted to explore unknown and distant +oceans, are usually those which are most pregnant with adventure and +disaster. But land has its perils as well as sea; and the wanderer, +thrown into the unknown interior of the Continents of Africa and +America, through regions of burning sand and trackless forest, occupied +only by rude and merciless barbarians, encounters no less dreadful forms +of danger and suffering. Several such examples are presented in the +present volume, which exhibit peril, captivity, and 'hair-breadth +escape,' in some of their striking and tragical results.</p> + +<p>The catastrophe of the Medusa is already known to the public, as one of +the most awful and appalling that ever befel any class of human beings. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span>The Shipwreck, and the dreadful scenes on the Raft, have been recorded +in the Narrative of Messrs Savigny and <span title="Transcriber's Note: "Correard" changed to "Corréard"">Corréard</span>. But the adventures of +the party who were cast ashore, and forced to find their way through the +African Desert, could be reported only imperfectly by those gentlemen +who were not eye-witnesses. This want is supplied in the first part of +the present volume, which contains the Narrative by Mad. Dard, then +Mademoiselle Picard, one of the suffering party, and for the translation +of which, the Editor is much indebted to Mr Maxwell.</p> + +<p>There is in it so much feeling and good sense, mixed with an amiable and +girlish simplicity, as to render it particularly engaging. There is also +something peculiarly gratifying to an Englishman in the reflection, that +such disaster could not have befallen almost any British crew. It was +evidently nothing but the utter and thorough selfishness which actuated +the leaders and most of those on board both of the ship and the raft, +which rendered the affair at all very serious. A wise plan formed and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span>acted upon, with a view to the general good, would have enabled them, +without difficulty, to save the crew, the cargo, and perhaps the vessel. +The narrative of the shipwreck and journey is also combined with the +adventures of an interesting Family, related in such a manner as to give +them a strong hold in our sympathy.</p> + +<p>The Second Part of the Volume has an affinity to that which has now been +mentioned. The western coast of Africa, lying along a great maritime and +commercial route, and being heavily encumbered by rocks and shoals, has +been the theatre of frequent shipwrecks; and Europeans, when cast +ashore, have always experienced the most dreadful fate from the inhuman +and bigotted natives. Several relations of this nature have been lately +published, but under somewhat of a romantic and dubious aspect. That of +Brisson, here inserted, appears the most authentic, and at the same time +to present the most interesting and varied train of vicissitudes; and +although it is already not unknown to the English reader, its +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>republication, we presume, will not be altogether unacceptable.</p> + +<p>The Third Relation carries them into quite a different quarter of the +world—to the shores of the mighty River of the Amazons in South +America, and to the boundless forests and deserts by which it is +bordered. We shall not anticipate the narrative of what befel Madame +Godin in her voyage down this river; but it will not probably be denied +to present as extraordinary a series of perils, adventures, and escapes, +as are anywhere to be found on record. It is drawn from the account of +the Mission of M. de la Condamine, sent, in 1743, by the French +Government, along with M. Bouguer and other Academicians, to measure an +arc of the meridian, under the latitude of Quito, and thus ascertain the +figure of the earth. This forms a well known and respectable source; but +the Mission being directed almost exclusively to scientific objects, the +narrative may not perhaps have often met the eye of the general reader.</p> + +<p><i>Edinburgh, August 1827.</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<div style="margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;"> +<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum"><b>I.</b> THE SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#PART_I">xiii</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#TRANS_PREFACE">xvii</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">AUTHOR'S PREFACE</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#AUTHOR_PREFACE">xix</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER I.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">M. Picard makes his first Voyage to Africa, +leaving at Paris his Wife and two young +Daughters—Death of Madame Picard—The Children +taken home to the House of their +Grandfather—Return of M. Picard after Nine years +Absence—He marries again, and Departs a short +while after, with all his Family, for +Senegal—Description of the Journey between Paris +and Rochefort </td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">19</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER II.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">Departure from Rochefort—The Picard Family Embark +in the Medusa Frigate—Account of the Voyage till +they reach the Arguin Bank</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">28</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER III.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">The Medusa Frigate runs aground on the Arguin +Bank—Description of the Shipwreck—A Raft is +constructed—They swear not to abandon those who +wish to go upon it</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">35</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER IV.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">The Helm of the Medusa is broken by the Waves—It +is determined to abandon the Wreck of the +Frigate—The Military are put upon the Raft—The +greater part of the Officers go into the +Boats—The Picard Family are abandoned upon the +Medusa—Proceedings of M. Picard to get his Family +into a Boat</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">42</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER V.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">Departure of the Boats—They seem desirous of +towing the Raft—Generous Conduct of a Naval +Officer—The Abandonment of the Raft—Despair of +the Wretches who are left to the fury of the +Waves—Reproaches of M. Picard to the Authors of +the Abandoning the Raft—Description of the Small +Fleet which the Boats formed—Frightful Fate, and +Deplorable End of the greater part of the +Individuals on the Raft</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">48</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER VI.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">The Chiefs of the Expedition order the Boats to +take the Route for Senegal—Objections of some +Generous Officers—The Shores of the Desert of +Sahara are discovered—The Sailors of the Pinnace +are desirous of Landing—The Boat in which the +Picard Family is leaks much—Unheard-of +Sufferings—Terrible Situation of the +Family—Frightful Tempest—Despair of the +Passengers</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER VII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">After the Frightful Tempest, the Boat, in which +are the Picard Family, is still desirous of taking +the Route to Senegal—Cruel Alternative to which +the Passengers are Driven—It is at last decided +to Gain the Coast—Description of the Landing—The +Transports of the shipwrecked</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">65</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER VIII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">The shipwrecked Party form themselves into a +Caravan to go by Land to Senegal—They find Water +in the Desert—Some People of the Caravan propose +to Abandon the Picard Family—Generous Conduct of +an Old Officer of Infantry—Discovery of an Oasis +of Wild Purslain—First Repast of the Caravan in +the Desert—They Fall in with a Small Camp of +Arabs—M. Picard purchases Two Kids—The Moors +offer their Services to them—Arrival at last at +the Great Camp of the Moors—M. Picard is +recognised by an Arab—Generous Proceeding of that +Arab—Sudden Departure of the Caravan—They hire +Asses</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">71</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER IX.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">The Caravan regains the Shore—A Sail is +discovered—It brings Assistance to the +Caravan—Great Generosity of an +Englishman—Continuation of their +Journey—Extraordinary Heat—They Kill a +Bullock—Repast of the Caravan—At last they +discover the River Senegal—Joy of the +Unfortunate—M. Picard receives Assistance from +some Old Friends at Senegal—Hospitality of the +Inhabitants of the Island of St Louis towards +every Person of the Caravan</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">83</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER X.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">The English refuse to cede the Colony of Senegal +to the French—The whole of the French Expedition +are obliged to go and encamp on the Peninsula of +Cape Verd—The Picard Family obtain leave of the +English Governor to remain at Senegal—Poverty of +that Family—Assistance which they +receive—Enterprise of M. Picard—Restoration of +the Colony to the French—Description of Senegal +and its Environs</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">98</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER XI.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">The Sickness and Death of Madame Picard break in +upon the Happiness of the Family—M. Picard turns +his Views to Commerce—Bad Success of his +Enterprise—The Distracted Affairs of the Colony +disgust Him—The Cultivation of the Island of +Safal—Several Merchants protest against M. Picard +applying himself to Commerce—Departure of the +Expedition to the Island of Galam—M. Picard is +deprived of his Employment as Attorney—His eldest +Daughter goes to live in the Island of Safal with +two of her Brothers</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">112</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER XII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">Miss Picard lives in the Island of Safal—Her +Manner of living—Sufferings she endured—She +gathers Flowers which contain a deleterious +Poison—Her two Brothers fall Sick—They are +conveyed to Senegal—Miss Picard, overcome with +Melancholy, also falls Sick—State in which she is +found—A Negro boils for her an old +Vulture—Return of Miss Picard to Senegal—Her +Convalescence—Her Return to the Island of +Safal—M. Picard goes there to Live with all his +Family—Description of the Furniture of the +African Cottage—Country Life—Comfort of their +Fireside—Walks of the Family—Little Pleasures +which they enjoy</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">120</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER XIII.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">Fresh Misfortunes—Desertion of the Working +Negroes—Return of M. Schmaltz to Senegal—Hope +Destroyed—Governor Schmaltz refuses all kind of +Assistance to the Picard Family—Tigers Devour the +Household Dog—Terror of Miss Picard—Bad +Harvest—Cruel Prospect of the Family—Increase of +Misfortunes—Some generous Persons offer +Assistance to M. Picard</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">131</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER XIV.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">The Picard Family, tormented by the Musquitoes, +the Serpents, and Tigers, determine to remove +their Cottage to the Banks of the River—The +Poultry is discovered by the wild +Beasts—Miserable Existence of that +Family—Humiliations which it suffered—Their +Cottage is overturned by a Tempest—The labouring +Negroes form a Scheme to desert</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">140</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER XV.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">The Colony of Senegal at War with the Moors—The +Picard Family obliged to abandon the Island of +Safal—They go to find a Home at St Louis—M. +Picard hires an Apartment for his Family and +returns to Safal with the eldest of his Sons—The +whole unfortunate Family fall sick—Return of M. +Picard to Senegal—Death of young Laura—He wishes +to return to his Island—The Children oppose +it—He falls dangerously ill—The worthy People of +the Colony are indignant at the Governor for the +State of Misery in which he has left the Picard +Family</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">150</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">CHAPTER XVI.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">M. Dard, whom contrary Winds had detained ten Days +in the Port of St. Louis, comes on Shore to see M. +Picard—Agony of M. Picard—His last Words—His +Death—Despair of his Children—M. Thomas kindly +takes charge of Picard's Family—The eldest of the +Ladies goes and mourns over the Grave of her +Father—Her Resignation—M. Dard disembarks, and +adopts the Wrecks of the Picard Family—M. Dard +marries Miss Picard, and at last returns to France</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">159</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">APPENDIX.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">Substance abridged from MM. <span title="Transcriber's Note: "Correard" changed to "Corréard"">Corréard</span> and Savigny, +of what took place on the Raft during thirteen +days before the Sufferers were taken up by the +Argus Brig</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#APPENDIX">169</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum"> </td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum">Notes</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#NOTES">193</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">———</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum"><p class="hangin"><b>II.</b> NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTIVITY OF +M. DE BRISSON IN THE DESERTS OF AFRICA</p></td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#PART_II">199</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td colspan="2" class="chapnum">———</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapsum"><p class="hangin"><b>III.</b> VOYAGE OF MAD. GODIN ALONG +THE RIVER OF THE AMAZONS</p></td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#PART_III">307</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PART_I" id="PART_I"></a>I.</h2> + +<h2>HISTORY OF THE SUFFERINGS AND MISFORTUNES +OF THE PICARD FAMILY,</h2> +<h3>AFTER THE SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA, +ON THE WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA,</h3> +<h3>IN THE YEAR 1816.</h3> + +<p class="center">FROM THE FRENCH OF MADAME DARD, +ONE OF THE SUFFERERS.</p> + +<p class="center">BY P. MAXWELL, <span class="smcap">Esq.</span></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span></p><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center">THIS TRANSLATION<br /> +OF MADAME DARD'S NARRATIVE<br /> +OF HER<br /> +SHIPWRECK AND MISFORTUNES,<br /> +IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED<br /> +TO<br /> +MISS AGNES MALCOLM,<br /> +BY HER AFFECTIONATE AND GRATEFUL COUSIN,<br /> +THE TRANSLATOR.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[Pg xvii]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="TRANS_PREFACE" id="TRANS_PREFACE"></a>TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>The following pages are translated from the "African Cottage," of Mad. +Dard.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> They contain no romance, but a well authenticated story, +<span title="Transcriber's Note: "coroborated" changed to "corroborated"">corroborated</span> by the previous Narrative of MM. Corréard and Savigny. +Those gentlemen have detailed their sufferings on the fatal raft, after +the disastrous shipwreck of the Medusa frigate; but the account +concerning those who escaped, by aid of their boats, to the shores of +Sahara, deficient in their recital, is supplied by Madame Dard, who was +present at all the scenes she relates. Interwoven with the Narrative, is +an interesting account of the Picard Family, whose wrongs cannot fail to +excite pity, and to engage those feeling hearts in her favour, to whom +the fair authoress has addressed the story of her misfortunes.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> "La Chaumière Africaine; ou, Histoire d'une Famille +Française jetée sur la côté occidentale de l'Afrique, à la suite du +naufrage de la Frégate la Meduse. Par Mme. Dard, née Charlotte Adelaide +Picard, aînée de cette famille, et l'une des naufragés de la Meduse." +Dijon. 1824, 12mo.</p></div> + +<p>There is not, on the records of misery, an instance of more severe and +protracted suffering; and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[Pg xviii]</a></span>I trust there is not, nor ever will be any, +where human nature was more foully outraged and disgraced. There are, +nevertheless, some pleasing traits of character in the story, and, I am +proud to say, some of the brightest of them belong to our own nation. +These present a beautiful relief to the selfishness and brutality which +so much abound in the dark picture; and are, to our minds, the green +spots of the Desert—the fountain and the fruit-tree—as they were in +very truth, to the poor wretches they assisted with such genuine +singleness of heart.</p> + +<p>To the end of the Narrative I have subjoined an Appendix, translated and +abridged from the work of MM. Corréard and Savigny, detailing at greater +length the sufferings of those who were exposed upon the Raft. I have +also added some Notes, extracted from several Authors, illustrative of +various matters mentioned in the course of the Narrative.</p> + +<p>It may be satisfactory for some readers to know, that, in 1824, Madame +Dard was living with her husband in comfort at Bligny-sous-Beaune, a +short distance from Dijon. I have lately seen in a French Catalogue, a +Dictionary and Grammar of the Woloff and Bambara languages, by M. J. +Dard, Bachelier des Sciences, Ancien Instituteur de l'Ecole du Sénégal, +brought out under the auspices of the French Government.</p> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">Patrick Maxwell.</span><br /> +<br /> +<i>Edinburgh, July 1827.</i><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[Pg xix]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="AUTHOR_PREFACE" id="AUTHOR_PREFACE"></a>AUTHOR'S PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>Those who have read the Account of the Shipwreck of the Medusa, by MM. +Savigny and Corréard, are already acquainted with the Picard family.</p> + +<p>Attracted to Senegal by a faint prospect of advantage, my father, head +of that unfortunate family, could not, in spite of a good constitution +and the strength of his spirits, resist that destiny, from the mortal +influence of which none of us save three escaped out of a family of +nine. On his deathbed, he expressed to me the desire that our +misfortunes should not remain unknown. This then became my duty, and a +duty sacred to the public. I feel a pleasure in fulfilling it, and +consolation in the thought, that no feeling mind will read the story of +our misfortunes without being affected; and that those who persecuted us +will at least experience some regret.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[Pg xx]</a></span></p> + +<p>The recital of the shipwreck of the Medusa was necessary, as much to +explain the origin of our misfortunes, as the cause of the connexion +between that disastrous event, and the terrible journey in the Desert of +Sahara, by which we at last reached Senegal. It will furnish me, also, +with an opportunity of adverting to some errors in the work of Messrs +Savigny and Corréard.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p><p>It only now remains for me to crave the indulgence of the reader for my +style. I trust such will not be refused to one who has dared to take the +pen, only in compliance with a father's dying request.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="SHIPWRECK_OF_THE_MEDUSA" id="SHIPWRECK_OF_THE_MEDUSA"></a>SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA.</h2> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">M. PICARD MAKES HIS FIRST VOYAGE TO AFRICA, LEAVING AT PARIS HIS +WIFE AND TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS—DEATH OF MADAME PICARD—THE +CHILDREN TAKEN HOME TO THE HOUSE OF THEIR GRANDFATHER—RETURN OF +M. PICARD AFTER NINE YEARS ABSENCE—HE MARRIES AGAIN, AND DEPARTS +A SHORT WHILE AFTER, WITH ALL HIS FAMILY, FOR +SENEGAL—DESCRIPTION OF THE JOURNEY BETWEEN PARIS AND ROCHEFORT.</p> + + +<p>About the beginning of 1800, my father solicited and obtained the +situation of resident attorney at Senegal, on the west coast of Africa. +My mother was then nursing my youngest sister, and could not be +persuaded to expose us, at so tender an age, to the fatigue and danger +of so long a voyage. At this period I was not quite two years old.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was then resolved that my father should go alone, and that we should +join him on the following year; but my mother's hopes were disappointed, +war having rendered impossible all communication with our colonies. In +despair, at a separation which placed her nearly two thousand leagues +from her husband, and ignorant how long it might continue, she soon +after fell into a languid condition; and death deprived us of her, at +the end of five years of suffering. My grandfather, at whose house we +had hitherto lived, now became both father and mother to us; and I owe +it to the good old man to say, that his care and attention soon made us +forget we were orphans. Too young to reflect, that the condition of +happiness which we enjoyed under his guardianship would ever have an +end, we lived without a care for the future, and our years glided on in +perfect tranquillity.</p> + +<p>Thus were we living when, in 1809, the English captured the colony of +Senegal, and permitted our father to return to his family. But what a +change did he meet with on his arrival at Paris! Wife, home, furniture, +friends, had all disappeared; and nothing remained but two young +daughters, who refused to acknowledge him for their father: so much were +our young minds habituated to see and love but one in the world—the +worthy old man who had watched over our infancy.</p> + +<p>In 1810, our father thought fit to marry a second time; but a great +misfortune befel his children in the death of their grandfather. Our +tears were scarcely dry, when we were conducted home to her who had +become our second mother. We would hardly acknowledge her. Our sorrow +was excessive, and the loss we had sustained <span title="Transcriber's Note: "irreparrable" changed to "irreparable"">irreparable</span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>. But they +strove to comfort us; dresses, playthings, amusements in abundance, were +given to us to obliterate the loss of our best friend. In this state of +perfect happiness we were living, when the armies of the Allies entered +Paris in 1814.</p> + +<p>France having had the good fortune to recover her King, and with him the +blessing of peace, an expedition was fitted out at Brest to go and +resume possession of Senegal, which had been restored to us. My father +was instantly reinstated in his place of resident attorney, and went in +the month of November to Brest.</p> + +<p>As our family had become more numerous since the second marriage of my +father, he could only take with him our stepmother and the younger +children. My sister Caroline and myself were placed in a boarding school +at Paris, until the Minister of Marine and the Colonies would grant us a +passage; but the events of 1815 caused the expedition to Senegal to be +abandoned, while it was still in the harbour of Brest, and all the +officers dismissed. My father then returned to Paris, leaving at Brest +my stepmother, who was then in an unfit condition for travelling.</p> + +<p>In 1816, a new expedition was fitted out. My father was ordered to +repair to Rochefort, whence it was to set off. He took measures also for +taking along with him his wife, who had remained at Brest during the +"hundred days." The design of our accompanying him to Africa, obliged +him to address a new petition to the Minister of Marine, praying him to +grant us all a passage, which he obtained.</p> + +<p>The 23d of May was the day on which we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> were to quit the capital, our +relations and friends. In the meanwhile, my sister and myself left the +boarding school where we had been placed, and went to take farewell of +all those who were dear to us. One cousin, who loved us most tenderly, +could not hear of our approaching departure without shedding tears; and +as it was impossible for her to change our destiny, she offered to share +it. Immediately she appeared before the minister, and M. le Baron +Portal, struck with a friendship which made her encounter the dangers of +so long a voyage, granted her request.</p> + +<p>At last, a beautiful morning announced to us the afflicting moment when +we were to quit Paris. The postilion, who was to convey us to Rochefort, +was already at the door of the house in which we lived, to conduct us to +his carriage, which waited for us at the Orléans gate. Immediately an +old hackney coach appeared; my father stept into it, and in an instant +it was filled. The impatient coachman cracked his whip, sparks flashed +from the horse's feet, and the street of Lille, which we had just +quitted, was soon far behind us. On arriving before the garden of the +Luxumbourg, the first rays of the morning's sun darted fiercely through +the foliage, as if to say, you forsake the zephyrs in quitting this +beautiful abode. We reached the Observatory, and in an instant passed +the gate d'Enfer. There, as yet for a moment to breathe the air of the +capital, we alighted at the Hotel du Pantheon, where we found our +carriage. After a hasty breakfast, the postilion arranged our trunks, +and off again we set. It was nearly seven in the morning when we quitted +the gates of Paris, and we ar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>rived that evening at the little village +of d'Etampes, where our landlord, pressing us to refresh ourselves, +almost burned his inn in making us an omelet with rotten eggs. The +flames, ascending the old chimney, soon rose to the roof of the house, +but they succeeded in extinguishing them. We were, however, regaled with +a smoke which made us shed tears. It was broad day when we quitted +d'Etampes; and our postilion, who had spent the greater part of the +night in drinking with his comrades, was something less than polite. We +reproached him, but he made light of the circumstance; for, in the +evening, he was completely drunk. On the twenty-fifth of May, at ten in +the morning, my father told me we were already thirty-two leagues from +Paris. Thirty-two leagues! cried I; alas, so far! Whilst I made this +reflection, we arrived at Orléans. Here we remained about three hours to +refresh ourselves as well as our horses. We could not leave the place +without visiting the statue raised in honour of Joan of Arc, that +extraordinary woman, to whom the monarchy once owed its safety.</p> + +<p>On leaving Orléans, the Loire, and the fertile pastures through which it +rolls its waters, excited our admiration. We had on our right the +beautiful vineyards of Beaugency. The road, as far as Amboise, is +delightful. I then began to think, that Paris and its environs might +perhaps be forgotten, if the country of Senegal, to which we were going, +was as fine as that through which we were journeying. We slept at +Amboise, which, being situated at the confluence of the Loire and the +Maise, presents a most agreeable appearance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> + +<p>When we set off, the sun began to show us verdant groves, watered by the +majestic course of the river. His disk looked like a glorious lustre +suspended in the azure vault of heaven. Our road was studded on both +sides with lofty poplars, which seemed to shoot their pyramidal heads +into the clouds. On our left was the Loire, and on our right a large +rivulet, whose crystal waters every where reflected the bright beams of +the sun. The birds, with their songs, celebrated the beauty of the day, +whilst the dews, in the form of pearls, quivering fell from the tender +boughs, fanned by the zephyrs. A thousand picturesque objects presented +themselves to our view. On the one hand were delightful groves, the +sweet flowers of which perfumed the air we breathed; on the other, a +clear fountain sprang bubbling from the crevice of a rock, and, after +falling from the top of a little hill among a tuft of flowers, bent its +devious course to join the waters of the river. More distant, a small +wood of filbert trees served as a retreat to the ringdoves who cooed, +and the nightingales who chanted the spring.</p> + +<p>We enjoyed this truly enchanting spectacle till we arrived at Tours. But +as our route from Orléans had been diversified and agreeable, from the +latter place to Rochefort it was monotonous and tiresome. However, the +towns of Chatellerault, Poitiers, and Niort made a slight change in the +sameness of the scene. From Niort to Rochefort the road was nearly +impassable. We were frequently obliged to alight from the carriage, in +order to allow the horses to drag it out from the deep ruts which we +met. In approaching to a hamlet, named Charente, we stuck so fast in the +mud, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> even after removing the trunks and other baggage, we found it +almost next to an impossibility to drag it out. We were in the midst of +a wood, and no village within view. It was then resolved to wait till +some good soul would be passing, who would assist to extricate us from +our embarrassment. After vainly waiting a long hour for this expected +succour, the first people who appeared were travelling merchants, who +would not stay on any account to give us assistance. At length we saw a +young lady upon a little path, which was at the extremity of the wood, +walking with a book in her hand. My father instantly ran towards her, +and acquainted her with our situation. This lady, far from acting like +the travellers we formerly met, went to an adjoining field where were +some farmers at work, and requested them to go with their oxen to free +us from our jeopardy, and returned herself with them. When our carriage +was put in a condition to continue our route, she invited us to refresh +ourselves in her country seat, situated in the middle of the wood. We +then took the cross-way, and returned with our carriage at the instance +of the amiable lady, who received us in the most affable and generous +manner. She offered us at first some pears, which were already very +good; after which we were served with an exquisite collation, at the end +of which a child, beautiful as the loves, presented us with a basket +filled with the fairest flowers of the spring. We accepted the gift of +Flora, in testimony of our regard for our generous landlady and her +charming child. Traversing after that the park of our hospitable +hostess, we rejoined the route to Rochefort.</p> + +<p>In paying this just tribute of remembrance to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> the offices of that +person who gave us so great assistance, I cannot resist the pleasure of +mentioning her name. She is the wife of M. Télotte, superior officer of +the general magazine at Rochefort.</p> + +<p>Already the masts of the ships appeared in the horizon, and we heard in +the distance a hollow and confused sound, like that made by a multitude +of people engaged in various occupations. On approaching nearer to +Rochefort, we found that the tumult we heard was caused by the labourers +in the wood-yards and the galley-slaves, who, painfully dragging their +fetters, attended to the various labours of the port. Having entered the +town, the first picture which presented itself to our eyes was that of +these unfortunate creatures, who, coupled two and two by enormous +chains, are forced to carry the heaviest burdens. It may be mentioned, +in passing, that the sight is not very attracting to young ladies who +have never been out of Paris; for, in spite of all the repugnance we can +have for those who are condemned by the laws to live apart from society, +we can never look with indifference on that crowd of thinking beings, +degraded, by following their vicious actions, to a level with the beasts +of burden.</p> + +<p>My mind was yet occupied with these painful reflections, when my father, +opening the door of the carriage, requested us to follow him into an +hotel in the street Dauphine, where already were our stepmother and our +young brothers and sisters, who had returned with her from Brest. Soon +our numerous family were again united. What transports of joy, what +saluting and embracing! O! there is nothing comparable to the pleasure +of meeting with those we love after a long absence!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<p>My father went to visit the officers who were to make the voyage to +Senegal along with us. My step-mother busied herself in preparing +supper, and my sister Caroline, my cousin, and myself, went to sleep; +for any farther exercise but ill accorded with the fatigue we had +already undergone; otherwise we could easily have sat till supper, after +having eat of the good things we had had at the farm of Charente.</p> + +<p>We spent the morrow, the 3d of June, in running about the town. In the +space of two hours we had seen every thing worth seeing. What a fine +thing a maritime town is for a maker of romances! But as I have neither +talents nor desire to write one, and as I have promised to the reader to +adhere strictly to the truth, I will content myself by telling him, that +in nine days I was tired of Rochefort.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">DEPARTURE FROM ROCHEFORT—THE PICARD FAMILY EMBARK IN THE MEDUSA +FRIGATE—ACCOUNT OF THE VOYAGE TILL THEY REACH THE ARGUIN BANK.</p> + + +<p>Early on the morning of the 12th of June, we were on our way to the +boats that were to convey us on board the Medusa, which was riding at +anchor off the island of Aix, distant about four leagues from Rochefort. +The field through which we passed was sown with corn. Wishing, before I +left our beautiful France, to make my farewell to the flowers, and, +whilst our family went leisurely forward to the place where we were to +embark upon the Charente, I crossed the furrows, and gathered a few +blue-bottles and poppies. We soon arrived at the place of embarkation, +where we found some of our fellow-passengers, who, like myself, seemed +casting a last look to Heaven, whilst they were yet on the French soil. +We embarked, however, and left these happy shores. In descending the +tortuous course of the Charente, contrary winds so impeded our progress, +that we did not reach the Medusa till the morrow, having taken +twenty-four hours in sailing four leagues.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> At length we mounted the +deck of the Medusa, of painful memory. When we got on board, we found +our births not provided for us, consequently were obliged to remain +indiscriminately together till next day. Our family, which consisted of +nine persons, was placed in a birth near the main deck. As the wind was +still contrary, we lay at anchor for seventeen days.</p> + +<p>On the 17th of June, at four in the morning, we set sail, as did the +whole expedition, which consisted of the Medusa frigate, the Loire +store-ship, the Argus brig, and the Echo corvette. The wind being very +favourable, we soon lost sight of the green fields of l'Aunis. At six in +the morning, however, the island of Rhé still appeared above the +horizon. We fixed our eyes upon it with regret, to salute for the last +time our dear country. Now, imagine the ship born aloft, and surrounded +by huge mountains of water, which at one moment tossed it in the air, +and at another plunged it into the profound abyss. The waves, raised by +a stormy north-west breeze, came dashing in a horrible manner against +the sides of our ship. I know not whether it was a presentiment of the +misfortune which menaced us that had made me pass the preceding night in +the most cruel inquietude. In my agitation, I sprang upon deck, and +contemplated with horror the frigate winging its way upon the waters. +The winds pressed against the sails with great violence, strained and +whistled among the cordage; and the great hulk of wood seemed to split +every time the surge broke upon its sides. On looking a little out to +sea I perceived, at no great distance on our right, all the other ships +of the expedition, which quieted me much. Towards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> ten in the morning +the wind changed; immediately an appalling cry was heard, concerning +which the passengers, as well as myself, were equally ignorant. The +whole crew were in motion. Some climbed the rope ladders, and seemed to +perch on the extremities of the yards; others mounted to the highest +parts of the mast; these bellowing and pulling certain cordages in +cadence; those crying, swearing, whistling, and filling the air with +barbarous and unknown sounds. The officer on duty, in his turn, roaring +out these words, starboard! larboard! hoist! luff! tack! which the +helmsman repeated in the same tone. All this hubbub, however, produced +its effect: the yards were turned on their pivots, the sails set, the +cordage tightened, and the unfortunate sea-boys having received their +lesson, descended to the deck. Every thing remained tranquil, except +that the waves still roared, and the masts continued their creaking. +However the sails were swelled, the winds less violent, though +favourable, and the mariner, whilst he caroled his song, said we had a +noble voyage.</p> + +<p>During several days we did indeed enjoy a delightful passage. All the +ships of the expedition still kept together; but at length the breeze +became changeable, and they all disappeared. The Echo, however, still +kept in sight, and persisted in accompanying us, as if to guide us on +our route. The wind becoming more favourable, we held due south, sailing +at the rate of sixty-two leagues a day. The sea was so fine, and our +journey so rapid, that I began to think it nearly as agreeable to travel +by sea as by land; but my illusion was not of long duration.</p> + +<p>On the 28th of June, at six in the morning, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> discovered the Peak of +Teneriffe, towards the south, the summit of whose cone seemed lost among +the clouds. We were then distant about two leagues, which we made in +less than a quarter of an hour. At ten o'clock we brought to before the +town of St Croix. Several officers got leave to go on shore to procure +refreshments.</p> + +<p>Whilst these gentlemen were away, a certain passenger, member of the +self-instituted Philanthropic Society of Cape Verd,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> suggested that it +was very dangerous to remain where we were, adding that he was well +acquainted with the country, and had navigated in all these latitudes. +M. Le Roy Lachaumareys, Captain of the Medusa, believing the pretended +knowledge of the intriguing Richefort, gave him the command of the +frigate. Various officers of the navy, represented to the captain how +shameful it was to put such confidence in a stranger, and that they +would never obey a man who had no character as a commander. The captain +despised these wise remonstrances; and, using his authority, commanded +the pilots, and all the crew, to obey Richefort; saying he was king, +since the orders of the king were, that they should obey him. +Immediately the impostor, desirous of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>displaying his great skill in +navigation, made them change the route for no purpose but that of +showing his skill in manœuvring a ship. Every instant he changed the +tack, went, came, and returned, and approached the very reefs, as if to +brave them. In short, he beat about so much, that the sailors at length +refused to obey him, saying boldly that he was a vile impostor. But it +was done. The man had gained the confidence of Captain Lachaumareys, +who, ignorant of navigation himself, was doubtless glad to get some one +to undertake his duty. But it must be told, and told, too, in the face +of all Europe, that this blind and inept confidence was the sole cause +of the loss of the Medusa frigate, as well as of all the crimes +consequent upon it.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> This Society, which was so ill named <i>Philanthropic</i>, was +composed of sixty individuals of all nations, among whom figured +Hébrard, Corréard,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> Richefort, &c. They had obtained from government a +free passage, and authority to go and cultivate the peninsula of Cape +Verd; but that new colony afterwards ended like that of Champ-d'Asile.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> Not that Corréard, the coadjutor of Savigny, mentioned in +the Author's preface. <i>Trans.</i></p></div> + +<p>Towards three in the afternoon, those officers who had gone on shore in +the morning, returned on board loaded with vegetables, fruits, and +flowers. They laughed heartily at the manœuvres that had been going on +during their absence, which doubtless did not please the captain, who +flattered himself he had already found in his pilot Richefort <i>a good +and able seaman</i>: such were his words. At four in the afternoon we took +a southerly direction. M. Richefort then beaming with exultation for +having, as he said, saved the Medusa from certain shipwreck, continued +to give his pernicious counsels to Captain Lachaumareys, persuading him +he had been often employed to explore the shores of Africa, and that he +was perfectly well acquainted with the Arguin Bank. The journals of the +29th and 30th afford nothing very remarkable.</p> + +<p>The hot winds from the desert of Sahara began to be felt, which told us +we approached the tro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>pic; indeed, the sun at noon seemed suspended +perpendicularly above our heads, a phenomenon which few among us had +ever seen.</p> + +<p>On the 1st of July, we recognised Cape Bojador, and then saw the shores +of Sahara. Towards ten in the morning, they set about the frivolous +ceremony which the sailors have invented for the purpose of exacting +something from those passengers who have never crossed the line. During +the ceremony, the frigate doubled Cape Barbas, hastening to its +destruction. Captain Lachaumareys very good humouredly presided at this +species of baptism, whilst his dear Richefort promenaded the forecastle, +and looked with indifference upon a shore bristling with dangers. +However that may be, all passed on well; nay, it may be even said that +the farce was well played off. But the route which we pursued soon made +us forget the short-lived happiness we had experienced. Every one began +to observe the sudden change which had taken place in the colour of the +sea, as we ran upon the bank in shallow water. A general murmur rose +among the passengers and officers of the navy;—they were far from +partaking in the blind confidence of the captain.</p> + +<p>On the 2d of July, at five in the morning, the captain was persuaded +that a large cloud, which was discovered in the direction of Cape +Blanco, was that Cape itself. After this pretended discovery, they ought +to have steered to the west, for about fifty leagues, to have gained sea +room to double with certainty the Arguin Bank; moreover, they ought to +have conformed to the instructions which the Minister of Marine had +given to the ships which set out for Senegal. The other part of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +expedition, from having followed these instructions arrived in safety at +their destination. During the preceding night, the Echo, which had +hitherto accompanied the Medusa, made several signals, but being replied +to with contempt, abandoned us. Towards ten in the morning, the danger +which threatened us was again represented to the Captain, and he was +strongly urged, if he wished to avoid the Arguin Bank, to take a +westerly course; but the advice was again neglected, and he despised the +predictions. One of the officers of the frigate, from having wished to +expose the intriguing Richefort, was put under arrest. My father, who +had already twice made the voyage to Senegal, and who with various +persons was persuaded they were going right upon the bank, also made his +observations to the unfortunate pilot. His advice was no better received +than those of Messrs Reynaud, Espiau, Maudet, &c. Richefort, in the +sweetest tone, replied, "My dear, we know our business; attend to yours, +and be quiet. I have already twice passed the Arguin Bank; I have sailed +upon the Red Sea, and you see I am not drowned." What reply could be +made to such a preposterous speech? My father, seeing it was impossible +to get our route changed, resolved to trust to Providence to free us +from our danger, and descended to our cabin, where he sought to +dissipate his fears in the oblivion of sleep.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">THE MEDUSA FRIGATE RUNS AGROUND ON THE ARGUIN BANK—DESCRIPTION +OF THE SHIPWRECK—A RAFT IS CONSTRUCTED—THEY SWEAR NOT TO +ABANDON THOSE WHO WISH TO GO UPON IT.</p> + + +<p>At noon, on the 2d of July, soundings were taken. M. Maudet, ensign of +the watch, was convinced we were upon the edge of the Arguin Bank. The +Captain said to him, as well as to every one, that there was no cause of +alarm. In the mean while, the wind blowing with great violence, impelled +us nearer and nearer to the danger which menaced us. A species of stupor +overpowered all our spirits, and every one preserved a mournful silence, +as if they were persuaded we would soon touch the bank. The colour of +the water entirely changed, a circumstance even remarked by the ladies. +About three in the afternoon, being in 19° 30' north latitude, and 19° +45' west longitude, an universal cry was heard upon deck. All declared +they saw sand rolling among the ripple of the sea. The Captain in an +instant ordered to sound. The line gave eighteen fathoms; but on a +second sound<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>ing it only gave six. He at last saw his error, and +hesitated no longer on changing the route, but it was too late. A strong +concussion told us the frigate had struck. Terror and consternation were +instantly depicted on every face. The crew stood motionless; the +passengers in utter despair. In the midst of this general panic, cries +of vengeance were heard against the principal author of our misfortunes, +wishing to throw him overboard; but some generous persons interposed, +and endeavoured to calm their spirits, by diverting their attention to +the means of our safety. The confusion was already so great, that M. +Poinsignon, commandant of a troop, struck my sister Caroline a severe +blow, doubtless thinking it was one of his soldiers. At this crisis my +father was buried in profound sleep, but he quickly awoke, the cries and +the tumult upon deck having informed him of our misfortunes. He poured +out a thousand reproaches on those whose ignorance and boasting had been +so disastrous to us. However, they set about the means of averting our +danger. The officers, with an altered voice, issued their orders, +expecting every moment to see the ship go in pieces. They strove to +lighten her, but the sea was very rough and the current strong. Much +time was lost in doing nothing; they only pursued half measures, and all +of them unfortunately failed.</p> + +<p>When it was discovered that the danger of the Medusa was not so great as +was at first supposed, various persons proposed to transport the troops +to the island of Arguin, which was conjectured to be not far from the +place where we lay aground. Others advised to take us all successively +to the coast of the desert of Sahara, by the means of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> our boats, and +with provisions sufficient to form a caravan, to reach the island of +Saint Louis, at Senegal. The events which afterwards ensued proved this +plan to have been the best, and which would have been crowned with +success; unfortunately it was not adopted. M. Schmaltz, the governor, +suggested the making of a raft of a sufficient size to carry two hundred +men, with provisions: which latter plan was seconded by the two officers +of the frigate, and put in execution.</p> + +<p>The fatal raft was then begun to be constructed, which would, they said, +carry provisions for every one. Masts, planks, boards, cordage, were +thrown over board. Two officers were charged with the framing of these +together. Large barrels were emptied and placed at the angles of the +machine, and the workmen were taught to say, that the passengers would +be in greater security there, and more at their ease, than in the boats. +However, as it was forgotten to erect rails, every one supposed, and +with reason, that those who had given the plan of the raft, had had no +design of embarking upon it themselves.</p> + +<p>When it was completed, the two chief officers of the frigate publicly +promised, that all the boats would tow it to the shore of the Desert; +and, when there, stores of provisions and fire-arms would be given us to +form a caravan to take us all to Senegal. Why was not this plan +executed? Why were these promises, sworn before the French flag, made in +vain? But it is necessary to draw a veil over the past. I will only add, +that if these promises had been fulfilled, every one would have been +saved, and that, in spite of the detestable egotism of certain +personages, humanity would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> not now have had to deplore the scenes of +horror consequent on the wreck of the Medusa!</p> + +<p>On the 3d of July, the efforts were renewed to disengage the frigate, +but without success. We then prepared to quit her. The sea became very +rough, and the wind blew with great violence. Nothing now was heard but +the plaintive and confused cries of a multitude, consisting of more than +four hundred persons, who, seeing death before their eyes, deplored +their hard fate in bitter lamentations. On the 4th, there was a glimpse +of hope. At the hour the tide flowed, the frigate, being considerably +lightened by all that had been thrown over board, was found nearly +afloat; and it is very certain, if on that day they had thrown the +artillery into the water, the Medusa would have been saved; but M. +Lachaumareys said, he could not thus sacrifice the King's cannon, as if +the frigate did not belong to the King also. However, the sea ebbed, and +the ship sinking into the sand deeper than ever, made them relinquish +that on which depended our last ray of hope.</p> + +<p>On the approach of night, the fury of the winds redoubled, and the sea +became very rough. The frigate then received some tremendous +concussions, and the water rushed into the hold in the most terrific +manner, but the pumps would not work. We had now no alternative but to +abandon her for the frail boats, which any single wave would overwhelm. +Frightful gulfs environed us; mountains of water raised their liquid +summits in the distance. How were we to escape so many dangers? Whither +could we go? What hospitable land would receive us on its shores? My +thoughts, then reverted to our beloved country. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> did not regret Paris, +but I could have esteemed myself happy to have been yet in the marshes +on the road to Rochefort. Then starting suddenly from my reverie, I +exclaimed: "O terrible condition! that black and boundless sea resembles +the eternal night which will ingulf us! All those who surround me seem +yet tranquil; but that fatal calm will soon be succeeded by the most +frightful torments. Fools, what had we to find in Senegal, to make us +trust to the most perfidious of elements! Did France not afford every +necessary for our happiness? Happy! yes, thrice happy, they who never +set foot on a foreign soil! Great God! succour all these unfortunate +beings; save our unhappy family!"</p> + +<p>My father perceived my distress, but how could he console me? What words +could calm my fears, and place me above the apprehension of those +dangers to which we were exposed? How, in a word, could I assume a +serene appearance, when friends, parents, and all that was most dear to +me were, in all human probability, on the very verge of destruction? +Alas! my fears were but too well founded. For I soon perceived that, +although we were the only ladies, besides the Misses Schmaltz, who +formed a part of the Governor's suit, they had the barbarity of +intending our family to embark upon the raft, where were only soldiers, +sailors, planters of Cape Verd, and some generous officers who had not +the honour (if it could be accounted one) of being considered among the +ignorant confidents of MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys. My father, +indignant at a proceeding so indecorous, swore we would not embark upon +the raft, and that, if we were not judged worthy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> of a place in one of +the six boats, he would himself, his wife, and children, remain on board +the wrecks of the frigate. The tone in which he spoke these words, was +that of a man resolute to avenge any insult that might be offered to +him. The governor of Senegal, doubtless fearing the world would one day +reproach him for his inhumanity, decided we should have a place in one +of the boats. This having in some measure quieted our fears concerning +our unfortunate situation, I was desirous of taking some repose, but the +uproar among the crew was so great I could not obtain it.</p> + +<p>Towards midnight, a passenger came to inquire at my father if we were +disposed to depart; he replied, we had been forbid to go yet. However, +we were soon convinced that a great part of the crew and various +passengers were secretly preparing to set off in the boats. A conduct so +perfidious could not fail to alarm us, especially as we perceived among +those so eager to embark unknown to us, several who had promised, but a +little while before, not to go without us.</p> + +<p>M. Schmaltz, to prevent that which was going on upon deck, instantly +rose to endeavour to quiet their minds; but the soldiers had already +assumed a threatening attitude, and, holding cheap the words of their +commander, swore they would fire upon whosoever attempted to depart in a +clandestine manner. The firmness of these brave men produced the desired +effect, and all was restored to order. The governor returned to his +cabin; and those who were desirous of departing furtively were confused +and covered with shame. The governor, however, was ill at ease; and as +he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> heard very distinctly certain energetic words which had been +addressed to him, he judged it proper to assemble a council. All the +officers and passengers being collected, M. Schmaltz there solemnly +swore before them not to abandon the raft, and a second time promised, +that all the boats would tow it to the shore of the Desert, where they +would all be formed into a caravan. I confess this conduct of the +governor greatly satisfied every member of our family; for we never +dreamed he would deceive us, nor act in a manner contrary to what he had +promised.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">THE HELM OF THE MEDUSA IS BROKEN BY THE WAVES—IT IS DETERMINED +TO ABANDON THE WRECK OF THE FRIGATE—THE MILITARY ARE PUT UPON +THE RAFT—THE GREATER PART OF THE OFFICERS GO INTO THE BOATS—THE +PICARD FAMILY ARE ABANDONED UPON THE MEDUSA—PROCEEDINGS OF M. +PICARD TO GET HIS FAMILY INTO A BOAT.</p> + + +<p>About three in the morning, some hours after the meeting of the council, +a terrible noise was heard in the powder room; it was the helm which was +broken. All who were sleeping were roused by it. On going on deck every +one was more and more convinced that the frigate was lost beyond all +recovery. Alas! the wreck was for our family the commencement of a +horrible series of misfortunes. The two chief officers then decided with +one accord, that all should embark at six in the morning, and abandon +the ship to the mercy of the waves. After this decision, followed a +scene the most whimsical, and at the same time the most melancholy that +can be well conceived. To have a more distinct idea of it, let the +reader transport himself in imagination to the midst of the liquid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +plains of the ocean; then let him picture to himself a multitude of all +classes, of every age, tossed about at the mercy of the waves upon a +dismasted vessel, foundered, and half submerged; let him not forget +these are thinking beings with the certain prospect before them of +having reached the goal of their existence.</p> + +<p>Separated from the rest of the world by a boundless sea, and having no +place of refuge but the wrecks of a grounded vessel, the multitude +addressed at first their vows to heaven, and forgot, for a moment, all +earthly concerns. Then, suddenly starting from their lethargy, they +began to look after their wealth, the merchandise they had in small +ventures, utterly regardless of the elements which threatened them. The +miser, thinking of the gold contained in his coffers, hastening to put +it in a place of safety, either by sewing it into the lining of his +clothes, or by cutting out for it a place in the waistband of his +trousers. The smuggler was tearing his hair at not being able to save a +chest of contraband which he had secretly got on board, and with which +he had hoped to have gained two or three hundred per cent. Another, +selfish to excess, was throwing over board all his hidden money, and +amusing himself by burning all his effects. A generous officer was +opening his portmanteau, offering caps, stockings, and shirts, to any +who would take them. These had scarcely gathered together their various +effects, when they learned that they could not take any thing with them; +those were searching the cabins and store-rooms to carry away every +thing that was valuable. Ship-boys were discovering the delicate wines +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> fine liqueurs, which a wise foresight had placed in reserve. +Soldiers and sailors were penetrating even into the spirit-room, +broaching casks, staving others, and drinking till they fell exhausted. +Soon the tumult of the inebriated made us forget the roaring of the sea +which threatened to ingulf us. At last the uproar was at its height; the +soldiers no longer listened to the voice of their captain. Some knit +their brows and muttered oaths; but nothing could be done with those +whom wine had rendered furious. Next, piercing cries mixed with doleful +groans were heard—this was the signal of departure.</p> + +<p>At six o'clock on the morning of the 5th, a great part of the military +were embarked upon the raft, which was already covered with a large +sheet of foam. The soldiers were expressly prohibited from taking their +arms. A young officer of infantry, whose brain seemed to be powerfully +affected, put his horse beside the barricadoes of the frigate, and then, +armed with two pistols, threatened to fire upon any one who refused to +go upon the raft. Forty men had scarcely descended when it sunk to the +depth of about two feet. To facilitate the embarking of a greater +number, they were obliged to throw over several barrels of provisions +which had been placed upon it the day before. In this manner did this +furious officer get about one hundred and fifty heaped upon that +floating tomb; but he did not think of adding one more to the number by +descending himself, as he ought to have done, but went peaceably away, +and placed himself in one of the best boats. There should have been +sixty sailors upon the raft, and there were but about ten. A list had +been made out on the 4th, assigning each his proper place; but this wise +pre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>caution being disregarded, every one pursued the plan he deemed the +best for his own preservation. The precipitation with which they forced +one hundred and fifty unfortunate beings upon the raft was such, that +they forgot to give them one morsel of biscuit. However, they threw +towards them twenty-five pounds in a sack, whilst they were not far from +the frigate; but it fell into the sea, and was with difficulty +recovered.</p> + +<p>During this disaster, the governor of Senegal, who was busied in the +care of his own dear self, effeminately descended in an arm-chair into +the barge, where were already various large chests, all kinds of +provisions, his dearest friends, his daughter and his wife. Afterwards +the captain's boat received twenty-seven persons, amongst whom were +twenty-five sailors, good rowers. The shallop, commanded by M. Espiau, +ensign of the ship, took forty-five passengers, and put off. The boat, +called the Senegal, took twenty-five; the pinnace thirty-three; and the +yawl, the smallest of all the boats, took only ten.</p> + +<p>Almost all the officers, the passengers, the mariners and +supernumeraries, were already embarked—all, but our weeping family, who +still remained upon the boards of the frigate, till some charitable +souls would kindly receive us into a boat. Surprised at this +abandonment, I instantly felt myself roused, and, calling with all my +might to the officers of the boats, besought them to take our unhappy +family along with them. Soon after, the barge, in which were the +governor of Senegal and all his family, approached the Medusa, as if +still to take some passengers, for there were but few in it. I made a +motion to descend, hoping that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> Misses Schmaltz, who had, till that +day, taken a great interest in our family, would allow us a place in +their boat; but I was mistaken: those ladies, who had embarked in a +mysterious incognito, had already forgotten us; and M. Lachaumareys, who +was still on the frigate, positively told me they would not embark along +with us. Nevertheless I ought to tell, what we learned afterwards, that +that officer who commanded the pinnace had received orders to take us +in, but, as he was already a great way from the frigate, we were certain +he had abandoned us. My father however hailed him, but he persisted on +his way to gain the open sea. A short while afterwards we <span title="Transcriber's Note: "percevied" changed to "perceived"">perceived</span> a +small boat among the waves, which seemed desirous to approach the +Medusa; it was the yawl. When it was sufficiently near, my father +implored the sailors who were in it to take us on board, and to carry us +to the pinnace, where our family ought to be placed. They refused. He +then seized a firelock, which lay by chance upon deck, and swore he +would kill every one of them if they refused to take us into the yawl, +adding that it was the property of the king, and that he would have +advantage from it as well as another. The sailors murmured, but durst +not resist, and received all our family, which consisted of nine +persons, viz. Four children, our stepmother, my cousin, my sister +Caroline, my father, and myself. A small box, filled with valuable +papers, which we wished to save, some clothes, two bottles of ratafia, +which we had endeavoured to preserve amidst our misfortunes, were seized +and thrown over board by the sailors of the yawl, who told us we would +find in the pinnace every thing which we could wish<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> for our voyage. We +had then only the clothes which covered us, never thinking of dressing +ourselves in two suits; but the loss which affected us most was that of +several MSS. at which my father had been labouring for a long while. Our +trunks, our linen, and various chests of merchandise of great value, in +a word, every thing we possessed, was left in the Medusa. When we +boarded the pinnace, the officer who commanded it began excusing himself +for having set off without forewarning us, as he had been ordered, and +said a thousand things in his justification. But without believing the +half of his fine protestations, we felt very happy in having overtaken +him; for it is most certain they had had no intention of encumbering +themselves with our unfortunate family. I say encumber, for it is +evident that four children, one of whom was yet at the breast, were very +indifferent beings to people who were actuated by a selfishness without +all parallel. When we were seated in the long-boat, my father dismissed +the sailors with the yawl, telling them he would ever gratefully +remember their services. They speedily departed, but little satisfied +with the good action they had done. My father hearing their murmurs and +the abuse they poured out against us, said, loud enough for all in the +boat to hear: "We are not surprised sailors are destitute of shame, when +their officers blush at being compelled to do a good action." The +commandant of the boat feigned not to understand the reproaches conveyed +in these words, and, to divert our minds from brooding over our wrongs, +endeavoured to counterfeit the man of gallantry.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">DEPARTURE OF THE BOATS—THEY SEEM DESIROUS OF TOWING THE +RAFT—GENEROUS CONDUCT OF A NAVAL OFFICER—THE ABANDONMENT OF THE +RAFT—DESPAIR OF THE WRETCHES WHO ARE LEFT TO THE FURY OF THE +WAVES—REPROACHES OF M. PICARD TO THE AUTHORS OF THE ABANDONING +THE RAFT—DESCRIPTION OF THE SMALL FLEET WHICH THE BOATS +FORMED—FRIGHTFUL FATE, AND DEPLORABLE END OF THE GREATER PART OF +THE INDIVIDUALS ON THE RAFT.</p> + + +<p>All the boats were already far from the Medusa, when they were brought +to, to form a chain in order to tow the raft. The barge, in which was +the governor of Senegal, took the first tow, then all the other boats in +succession joined themselves to that. M. Lachaumareys embarked, although +there yet remained upon the Medusa more than sixty persons. Then the +brave and generous M. Espiau, commander of the shallop, quitted the line +of boats, and returned to the frigate, with the intention of saving all +the wretches who had been abandoned. They all sprung into the shallop; +but as it was very much overloaded, seventeen unfortunates preferred +remaining on board, rather than expose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> themselves as well as their +companions to certain death. But, alas! the greater part afterwards fell +victims to their fears or their devotion. Fifty-two days after they were +abandoned, no more than three of them were alive, and these looked more +like skeletons than men. They told that their miserable companions had +gone afloat upon planks and hen-coops, after having waited in vain +forty-two days for the succour which had been promised them, and that +all had perished.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">4</a></p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> Two, out of the three wretches who were saved from the +wrecks of the Medusa, died a few days after their arrival at the colony; +and the third, who pretended to know a great many particulars relative +to the desertion of the frigate, was assassinated in his bed at Senegal, +when he was just upon the eve of setting off for France. The authorities +could not discover the murderer, who had taken good care to flee from +his victim after having killed him.</p></div> + +<p>The shallop, carrying with difficulty all those she had saved from the +Medusa, slowly rejoined the line of boats which towed the raft. M. +Espiau earnestly besought the officers of the other boats to take some +of them along with them; but they refused, alleging to the generous +officer that he ought to keep them in his own boat, as he had gone for +them himself. M. Espiau, finding it impossible to keep them all without +exposing them to the utmost peril, steered right for a boat which I will +not name. Immediately a sailor sprung from the shallop into the sea, and +endeavoured to reach it by swimming; and when he was about to enter it, +an officer who possessed great influence, pushed him back, and, drawing +his sabre, threatened to cut off his hands, if he again made the +attempt. The poor wretch regained the shallop, which was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>very near the +pinnace, where we were. Various friends of my father supplicated M. +Lapérère, the officer of our boat, to receive him on board. My father +had his arms already out to catch him, when M. Lapérère instantly let go +the rope which attached us to the other boats, and tugged off with all +his force. At the same instant every boat imitated our execrable +example; and wishing to shun the approach of the shallop, which sought +for assistance, stood off from the raft, abandoning in the midst of the +ocean, and to the fury of the waves, the miserable mortals whom they had +sworn to land on the shores of the Desert.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had these cowards broken their oath, when we saw the French +flag flying upon the raft. The confidence of these unfortunate persons +was so great, that when they saw the first boat which had the tow +removing from them, they all cried out, the rope is broken! the rope is +broken! but when no attention was paid to their observation they +instantly perceived the treachery of the wretches who had left them so +basely. Then the cries of <i>Vive le Roi</i> arose from the raft, as if the +poor fellows were calling to their father for assistance; or, as if they +had been persuaded that, at that rallying word, the officers of the +boats would return, and not abandon their countrymen. The officers +repeated the cry of <i>Vive le Roi</i>, without a doubt, to insult them; but, +more particularly, M. Lachaumareys, who, assuming a martial attitude, +waved his hat in the air. Alas! what availed these false professions? +Frenchmen, menaced with the greatest peril, were demanding assistance +with the cries of <i>Vive le Roi</i>; yet none were found sufficiently +generous, nor sufficiently French, to go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> to aid them. After a silence +of some minutes, horrible cries were heard; the air resounded with the +groans, the lamentations, the imprecations of these wretched beings, and +the echo of the sea frequently repeated, Alas! how cruel you are to +abandon us!!! The raft already appeared to be buried under the waves, +and its unfortunate passengers immersed. The fatal machine was drifted +by currents far behind the wreck of the Frigate; without cable, anchor, +mast, sail, oars; in a word, without the smallest means of enabling them +to save themselves. Each wave that struck it, made them stumble in heaps +on one another. Their feet getting entangled among the cordage, and +between the planks, bereaved them of the faculty of moving. Maddened by +these misfortunes, suspended, and adrift upon a merciless ocean, they +were soon tortured between the pieces of wood which formed the scaffold +on which they floated. The bones of their feet and their legs were +bruized and broken, every time the fury of the waves agitated the raft; +their flesh covered with contusions and hideous wounds, dissolved, as it +were, in the briny waves, whilst the roaring flood around them was +coloured with their blood.</p> + +<p>As the raft, when it was abandoned, was nearly two leagues from the +frigate, it was impossible these unfortunate persons could return to it: +they were soon after far out at sea. These victims still appeared above +their floating tomb; and, stretching out their supplicating hands +towards the boats which fled from them, seemed yet to invoke, for the +last time, the names of the wretches who had deceived them. O horrid +day! a day of shame<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> and reproach! Alas! that the hearts of those who +were so well acquainted with misfortune, should have been so +inaccessible to pity!</p> + +<p>After witnessing that most inhuman scene, and seeing they were +insensible to the cries and lamentations of so many unhappy beings, I +felt my heart bursting with sorrow. It seemed to me that the waves would +overwhelm all these wretches, and I could not suppress my tears. My +father, exasperated to excess, and bursting with rage at seeing so much +cowardice and inhumanity among the officers of the boats, began to +regret he had not accepted the place which had been assigned for us upon +the fatal raft. "At least," said he, "we would have died with the brave, +or we would have returned to the wreck of the Medusa; and not have had +the disgrace of saving ourselves with cowards." Although this produced +no effect upon the officers, it proved very fatal to us afterwards; for, +on our arrival at Senegal, it was reported to the Governor, and very +probably was the principal cause of all those evils and vexations which +we endured in that colony.</p> + +<p>Let us now turn our attention to the several situations of all those who +were endeavouring to save themselves in the different boats, as well as +to those left upon the wreck of the Medusa.</p> + +<p>We have already seen, that the frigate was half sunk when it was +deserted, presenting nothing but a hulk and wreck. Nevertheless, +seventeen still remained upon it, and had food, which, although damaged, +enabled them to support themselves for a considerable time; whilst the +raft was abandoned to float at the mercy of the waves, upon the vast +surface of the ocean. One hundred and fifty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> wretches were embarked upon +it, sunk to the depth of at least three feet on its fore part, and on +its poop immersed even to the middle. What victuals they had were soon +consumed, or spoiled by the salt water; and perhaps some, as the waves +hurried them along, became food for the monsters of the deep. Two only +of all the boats which left the Medusa, and these with very few people +in them, were provisioned with every necessary; these struck off with +security and despatch. But the condition of those who were in the +shallop was but little better than those upon the raft; their great +number, their scarcity of provisions, their great distance from the +shore, gave them the most melancholy anticipations of the future. Their +worthy commander, M. Espiau, had no other hope but of reaching the shore +as soon as possible. The other boats were less filled with people, but +they were scarcely better provisioned; and, as by a species of fatality, +the pinnace, in which were our family, was destitute of every thing. Our +provisions consisted of a barrel of biscuit, and a tierce of water; and, +to add to our misfortunes, the biscuit being soaked in the sea, it was +almost impossible to swallow one morsel of it. Each passenger in our +boat was obliged to sustain his wretched existence with a glass of +water, which he could get only once a day. To tell how this happened, +how this boat was so poorly supplied, whilst there were abundance left +upon the Medusa, is far beyond my power. But it is at least certain, +that the greater part of the officers commanding the boats, the Shallop, +the pinnace, the Senegal boat, and the yawl, were persuaded, when they +quitted the frigate, that they would not abandon the raft,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> but that all +the expedition would sail together to the coast of Sahara; that when +there, the boats would be again sent to the Medusa to take provisions, +arms, and those who were left there; but it appears the chiefs had +decided otherwise.</p> + +<p>After abandoning the raft, although scattered, all the boats formed a +little fleet, and followed the same route. All who were sincere hoped to +arrive the same day at the coast of the Desert, and that every one would +get on shore; but MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys gave orders to take the +route for Senegal. This sudden change in the resolutions of the chiefs +was like a thunderbolt to the officers commanding the boats. Having +nothing on board but what was barely necessary to enable us to allay the +cravings of hunger for one day, we were all sensibly affected. The other +boats, which, like ourselves, hoped to have got on shore at the nearest +point, were a little better provisioned than we were; they had at least +a little wine, which supplied the place of other necessaries. We then +demanded some from them, explaining our situation, but none would assist +us, not even Captain Lachaumareys, who, drinking to a kept mistress, +supported by two sailors, swore he had not one drop on board. We were +next desirous of addressing the boat of the Governor of Senegal, where +we were persuaded were plenty of provisions of every kind, such as +oranges, biscuits, cakes, comfits, plumbs, and even the finest liqueurs; +but my father opposed it, so well was he assured we would not obtain any +thing.</p> + +<p>We will now turn to the condition of those on the raft, when the boats +left them to themselves.</p> + +<p>If all the boats had continued dragging the raft<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> forward, favoured as +we were by the breeze from the sea, we would have been able to have +conducted them to the shore in less than two days. But an inconceivable +fatality caused the generous plan to be abandoned which had been formed.</p> + +<p>When the raft had lost sight of the boats, a spirit of sedition began to +manifest itself in furious cries. They then began to regard one another +with ferocious looks, and to thirst for one another's flesh. Some one +had already whispered of having recourse to that monstrous extremity, +and of commencing with the fattest and youngest. A proposition so +atrocious filled the brave Captain Dupont and his worthy lieutenant M. +L'Heureux with horror; and that courage which had so often supported +them in the field of glory, now forsook them.</p> + +<p>Among the first who fell under the hatchets of the assassins, was a +young woman who had been seen devouring the body of her husband. When +her turn was come, she sought a little wine as a last favour, then rose, +and without uttering one word, threw herself into the sea. Captain +Dupont being proscribed for having refused to partake of the +sacrilegious viands with which the monsters were feeding on, was saved +as by a miracle from the hands of the butchers. Scarcely had they seized +him to lead him to the slaughter, when a large pole, which served in +place of a mast, fell upon his body; and believing that his legs were +broken, they contented themselves by throwing him into the sea. The +unfortunate captain plunged, disappeared, and they thought him already +in another world.</p> + +<p>Providence, however, revived the strength of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> the unfortunate warrior. +He emerged under the beams of the raft, and clinging with all his might, +holding his head above water, he remained between two enormous pieces of +wood, whilst the rest of his body was hid in the sea. After more than +two hours of suffering, Captain Dupont spoke in a low voice to his +lieutenant, who by chance was seated near the place of his concealment. +The brave L'Heureux, with eyes glistening with tears, believed he heard +the voice, and saw the shade of his captain; and trembling, was about to +quit the place of horror; but, O wonderful! he saw a head which seemed +to draw its last sigh, he recognised it, he embraced it, alas! it was +his dear friend! Dupont was instantly drawn from the water, and M. +L'Heureux obtained for his unfortunate comrade again a place upon the +raft. Those who had been most inveterate against him, touched at what +Providence had done for him in so miraculous a manner, decided with one +accord to allow him entire liberty upon the raft.</p> + +<p>The sixty unfortunates who had escaped from the first massacre, were +soon reduced to fifty, then to forty, and at last to twenty-eight. The +least murmur, or the smallest complaint, at the moment of distributing +the provisions, was a crime punished with immediate death. In +consequence of such a regulation, it may easily be presumed the raft was +soon lightened. In the meanwhile the wine diminished sensibly, and the +half rations very much displeased a certain chief of the conspiracy. On +purpose to avoid being reduced to that extremity, the <i>executive power</i> +decided it was much wiser to <i>drown thirteen people</i>, and to get full +rations, than that twenty-eight should have half rations. Mer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>ciful +Heaven! what shame! After the last catastrophe, the chiefs of the +conspiracy, fearing doubtless of being assassinated in their turn, threw +all the arms into the sea, and swore an inviolable friendship with the +heroes which the hatchet had spared. On the 17th of July, in the +morning, Captain Parnajon, commandant of the Argus brig, still found +fifteen men on the raft. They were immediately taken on board, and +conducted to Senegal. Four of the fifteen are yet alive, viz. Captain +Dupont, residing in the neighbourhood of Maintenon, Lieutenant +L'Heureux, since Captain, at Senegal, Savigny, at Rochefort, and +Corréard, I know not where.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">THE CHIEFS OF THE EXPEDITION ORDER THE BOATS TO TAKE THE ROUTE +FOR SENEGAL—OBJECTIONS OF SOME GENEROUS OFFICERS—THE SHORES OF +THE DESERT OF SAHARA ARE DISCOVERED—IT IS DEFENDED—THE SAILORS +OF THE PINNACE ARE DESIROUS OF LANDING—THE BOAT IN WHICH THE +PICARD FAMILY IS LEAKS MUCH—UNHEARD-OF SUFFERINGS—TERRIBLE +SITUATION OF THE FAMILY—FRIGHTFUL TEMPEST—DESPAIR OF THE +PASSENGERS.</p> + + +<p>On the 5th of July, at ten in the morning, one hour after abandoning the +raft, and three after quitting the Medusa, M. Lapérère, the officer of +our boat, made the first distribution of provisions. Each passenger had +a small glass of water and nearly the fourth of a biscuit. Each drank +his allowance of water at one draught, but it was found impossible to +swallow one morsel of our biscuit, it being so impregnated with +sea-water. It happened, however, that some was found not quite so +saturated. Of these we eat a small portion, and put back the remainder +for a future day. Our voyage would have been sufficiently agreeable, if +the beams of the sun had not been so fierce. On the evening we perceived +the shores of the Desert; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> as the two chiefs (MM. Schmaltz and +Lachaumareys) wished to go right for Senegal, notwithstanding we were +still one hundred leagues from it, we were not allowed to land. Several +officers remonstrated, both on account of our want of provisions and the +crowded condition of the boats, for undertaking so dangerous a voyage. +Others urged with equal force, that it would be dishonouring the French +name, if we were to neglect the unfortunate people on the raft, and +insisted we should be set on shore, and whilst we waited there, three +boats should return to look after the raft, and three to the wrecks of +the frigate, to take up the seventeen who were left there, as well as a +sufficient quantity of provisions to enable us to go to Senegal by the +way of Barbary. But MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys, whose <span title="Transcriber's Note: "boasts" changed to "boats"">boats</span> were +sufficiently well provisioned, scouted the advice of their subalterns, +and ordered them to cast anchor till the following morning. They were +obliged to obey these orders, and to relinquish their designs. During +the night, a certain passenger, who was doubtless no doctor, and who +believed in ghosts and witches, was suddenly frightened by the +appearance of flames, which he thought he saw in the waters of the sea, +a little way from where our boat was anchored. My father, and some +others, who were aware that the sea is sometimes phosphorated, confirmed +the poor credulous man in his belief, and added several circumstances +which fairly turned his brain. They persuaded him the Arabic sorcerers +had fired the sea to prevent us from travelling along their deserts.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 6th of July, at five<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> o'clock, all the boats were +under way on the route to Senegal. The boats of MM. Schmaltz and +Lachaumareys took the lead along the coast, and all the expedition +followed. About eight, several sailors in our boat, with threats, +demanded to be set on shore; but M. Lapérère, not acceding to their +request, the whole were about to revolt and seize the command; but the +firmness of this officer quelled the mutineers. In a spring which he +made to seize a firelock which a sailor persisted in keeping in his +possession, he almost tumbled into the sea. My father fortunately was +near him, and held him by his clothes, but he had instantly to quit him, +for fear of losing his hat, which the waves were floating away. A short +while after this slight accident, the shallop, which we had lost sight +of since the morning, appeared desirous of rejoining us. We plied all +hands to avoid her, for we were afraid of one another, and thought that +that boat, encumbered with so many people, wished to board us to oblige +us to take some of its passengers, as M. Espiau would not suffer them to +be abandoned like those upon the raft. That officer hailed us at a +distance, offering to take our family on board, adding, he was anxious +to take about sixty people to the Desert. The officer of our boat, +thinking that this was a pretence, replied, we preferred suffering where +we were. It even appeared to us that M. Espiau had hid some of his +people under the benches of the shallop. But, alas! in the end we deeply +deplored being so suspicious, and of having so outraged the devotion of +the most generous officer of the Medusa.</p> + +<p>Our boat began to leak considerably, but we prevented it as well as we +could, by stuffing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> largest holes with oakum, which an old sailor +had had the precaution to take before quitting the frigate. At noon the +heat became so strong—so intolerable, that several of us believed we +had reached our last moments. The hot winds of the Desert even reached +us; and the fine sand with which they were loaded, had completely +obscured the clearness of the atmosphere. The sun presented a reddish +disk; the whole surface of the ocean became nebulous, and the air which +we breathed, depositing a fine sand, an impalpable powder, penetrated to +our lungs, already parched with a burning thirst. In this state of +torment we remained till four in the afternoon, when a breeze from the +north-west brought us some relief. Notwithstanding the privations we +felt, and especially the burning thirst which had become intolerable, +the cool air which we now began to breath, made us in part forget our +sufferings. The heavens began again to resume the usual serenity of +those latitudes, and we hoped to have passed a good night. A second +distribution of provisions was made; each received a small glass of +water, and about the eighth part of a biscuit. Notwithstanding our +meagre fare, every one seemed content, in the persuasion we would reach +Senegal by the morrow. But how vain were all our hopes, and what +sufferings had we yet to endure!</p> + +<p>At half past seven, the sky was covered with stormy clouds. The serenity +we had admired a little while before, entirely disappeared, and gave +place to the most gloomy obscurity. The surface of the ocean presented +all the signs of a coming tempest. The horizon on the side of the Desert +had the appearance of a long hideous chain of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> mountains piled on one +another, the summits of which seemed to vomit fire and smoke. Bluish +clouds, streaked with a dark copper colour, detached themselves from +that shapeless heap, and came and joined with those which floated over +our heads. In less than half an hour the ocean seemed confounded with +the terrible sky which canopied us. The stars were hid. Suddenly a +frightful noise was heard from the west, and all the waves of the sea +rushed to founder our frail bark. A fearful silence succeeded to the +general consternation. Every tongue was mute; and none durst communicate +to his neighbour the horror with which his mind was impressed. At +intervals the cries of the children rent our hearts. At that instant a +weeping and agonized mother bared her breast to her dying child, but it +yielded nothing to appease the thirst of the little innocent who pressed +it in vain. O night of horrors! what pen is capable to paint thy +terrible picture! How describe the agonizing fears of a father and +mother, at the sight of their children tossed about and expiring of +hunger in a small boat, which the winds and waves threatened to ingulf +at every instant! Having full before our eyes the prospect of inevitable +death, we gave ourselves up to our unfortunate condition, and addressed +our prayers to Heaven. The winds growled with the utmost fury; the +tempestuous waves arose exasperated. In their terrific encounter a +mountain of water was precipitated into our boat, carrying away one of +the sails, and the greater part of the effects which the sailors had +saved from the Medusa. Our bark was nearly sunk; the females and the +children lay rolling in its bottom, drinking the waters of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> bitterness; +and their cries, mixed with the roaring of the waves and the furious +north wind, increased the horrors of the scene. My unfortunate father +then experienced the most excruciating agony of mind. The idea of the +loss which the shipwreck had occasioned to him, and the danger which +still menaced all he held dearest in the world, plunged him into a deep +swoon. The tenderness of his wife and children recovered him; but alas! +his recovery was to still more bitterly to deplore the wretched +situation of his family. He clasped us to his bosom; he bathed us with +his tears, and seemed as if he was regarding us with his last looks of +love.</p> + +<p>Every soul in the boat were seized with the same perturbation, but it +manifested itself in different ways. One part of the sailors remained +motionless, in a bewildered state; the other cheered and encouraged one +another; the children, locked in the arms of their parents, wept +incessantly. Some demanded drink, vomiting the salt water which choked +them; others, in short, embraced as for the last time, intertwining +their arms, and vowing to die together.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the sea became rougher and rougher. The whole surface +of the ocean seemed a vast plain furrowed with huge blackish waves +fringed with white foam. The thunder growled around us, and the +lightning discovered to our eyes all that our imagination could conceive +most horrible. Our boat, beset on all sides by the winds, and at every +instant tossed on the summit of mountains of water, was very nearly sunk +in spite of our every effort in baling it, when we discovered a large +hole in its poop. It was instantly stuf<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>fed with every thing we could +find;—old clothes, sleeves of shirts, shreds of coats, shawls, useless +bonnets, every thing was employed, and secured us as far as it was +possible. During the space of six hours, we rowed suspended alternately +between hope and fear, between life and death. At last towards the +middle of the night, Heaven, which had seen our resignation, commanded +the floods to be still. Instantly the sea became less rough, the veil +which covered the sky became less obscure, the stars again shone out, +and the tempest seemed to withdraw. A general exclamation of joy and +thankfulness issued at one instant from every mouth. The winds calmed, +and each of us sought a little sleep, whilst our good and generous pilot +steered our boat on a still very stormy sea.</p> + +<p>The day at last, the day so desired, entirely restored the calm; but it +brought no other consolation. During the night, the currents, the waves, +and the winds had taken us so far out to sea, that, on the dawning of +the 7th of July, we saw nothing but sky and water, without knowing +whether to direct our course; for our compass had been broken during the +tempest. In this hopeless condition, we continued to steer sometimes to +the right and sometimes to the left, until the sun arose, and at last +showed us the east.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">AFTER THE FRIGHTFUL TEMPEST, THE BOAT, IN WHICH ARE THE PICARD +FAMILY, IS STILL DESIROUS OF TAKING THE ROUTE TO SENEGAL—CRUEL +ALTERNATIVE TO WHICH THE PASSENGERS ARE DRIVEN—IT IS AT LAST +DECIDED TO GAIN THE COAST—DESCRIPTION OF THE LANDING—THE +TRANSPORTS OF THE SHIPWRECKED.</p> + + +<p>On the morning of the 7th of July, we again saw the shores of the +Desert, notwithstanding we were yet a great distance from it. The +sailors renewed their murmurings, wishing to get on shore, with the hope +of being able to get some wholesome plants, and some more palatable +water than that of the sea; but as we were afraid of the Moors, their +request was opposed. However, M. Lapérère proposed to take them as near +as he could to the first breakers on the coast; and when there, those +who wished to go on shore should throw themselves into the sea, and swim +to land. Eleven accepted the proposal; but when we had reached the first +waves, none had the courage to brave the mountains of water which rolled +between them and the beach. Our sailors then betook themselves to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> their +benches and oars, and promised to be more quiet for the future. A short +while after, a third distribution was made since our departure from the +Medusa; and nothing more remained than four pints of water, and one half +dozen biscuits. What steps were we to take in this cruel situation? We +were desirous of going on shore, but we had such dangers to encounter. +However, we soon came to a decision, when we saw a caravan of Moors on +the coast. We then stood a little out to sea. According to the +calculation of our commanding officer, we would arrive at Senegal on the +morrow. Deceived by that false account, we preferred suffering one day +more, rather than to be taken by the Moors of the Desert, or perish +among the breakers. We had now no more than a small half glass of water, +and the seventh of a biscuit. Exposed as we were to the heat of the sun, +which darted its rays perpendicularly on our heads, that ration, though +small, would have been a great relief to us; but the distribution was +delayed to the morrow. We were then obliged to drink the bitter +sea-water, ill as it was calculated to quench our thirst. Must I tell +it! thirst had so withered the lungs of our sailors, that they drank +water salter than that of the sea! Our numbers diminished daily, and +nothing but the hope of arriving at the colony on the following day +sustained our frail existence. My young brothers and sisters wept +incessantly for water. The little Laura, aged six years, lay dying at +the feet of her mother. Her mournful cries so moved the soul of my +unfortunate father, that he was on the eve of opening a vein to quench +the thirst which consumed his child; but a wise person opposed his +design, observing that all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> blood in his body would not prolong the +life of his infant one moment.</p> + +<p>The freshness of the night-wind procured us some respite. We anchored +pretty near to the shore, and, though dying of famine, each got a +tranquil sleep. On the morning of the 8th of July at break of day, we +took the route for Senegal. A short while after the wind fell, and we +had a dead calm. We endeavoured to row, but our strength was exhausted. +A fourth and last distribution was made, and, in the twinkling of an +eye, our last resources were consumed. We were forty-two people who had +to feed upon <i>six biscuits</i> and about <i>four pints</i> of water, with no +hope of a farther supply. Then came the moment for deciding whether we +were to perish among the breakers, which defended the approach to the +shores of the Desert, or to die of famine in continuing our route. The +majority preferred the last species of misery. We continued our progress +along the shore, painfully pulling our oars. Upon the beach were +distinguished several downs of white sand, and some small trees. We were +thus creeping along the coast, observing a mournful silence, when a +sailor suddenly exclaimed, Behold the Moors! We did, in fact, see +various individuals upon the rising ground, walking at a quick pace, and +whom we took to be the Arabs of the Desert. As we were very near the +shore, we stood farther out to sea, fearing that these pretended Moors, +or Arabs, would throw themselves into the sea, swim out, and take us. +Some hours after, we observed several people upon an eminence, who +seemed to make signals to us. We examined them atten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>tively, and soon +recognised them to be our companions in misfortune. We replied to them +by attaching a white handkerchief to the top of our mast. Then we +resolved to land, at the risk of perishing among the breakers, which +were very strong towards the shore, although the sea was calm. On +approaching the beach, we went towards the right, where the waves seemed +less agitated, and endeavoured to reach it, with the hope of being able +more easily to land. Scarcely had we directed our course to that point, +when we perceived a great number of people standing near to a little +wood surrounding the sand-hills. We recognised them to be the passengers +of that boat, which, like ourselves, were deprived of provisions.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile we approached the shore, and already the foaming surge filled +us with terror. Each wave that came from the open sea, each billow that +swept beneath our boat, made us bound into the air; so we were sometimes +thrown from the poop to the prow, and from the prow to the poop. Then, +if our pilot had missed the sea, we would have been sunk; the waves +would have thrown us aground, and we would have been buried among the +breakers. The helm of the boat was again given to the old pilot, who had +already so happily steered us through the dangers of the storm. He +instantly threw into the sea the mast, the sails, and every thing that +could impede our proceedings. When we came to the first landing point, +several of our shipwrecked companions, who had reached the shore, ran +and hid themselves behind the hills, not to see us perish; others made +signs not to approach at that place; some covered their eyes with their +hands; others, at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> last despising the danger, precipitated themselves +into the waves to receive us in their arms. We then saw a spectacle that +made us shudder. We had already doubled two ranges of breakers; but +those which we had still to cross raised their foaming waves to a +prodigious height, then sunk with a hollow and monstrous sound, sweeping +along a long line of the coast. Our boat sometimes greatly elevated, and +sometimes ingulfed between the waves, seemed, at the moment, of utter +ruin. Bruised, battered, tossed about on all hands, it turned of itself, +and refused to obey the kind hand which directed it. At that instant a +huge wave rushed from the open sea, and dashed against the poop; the +boat plunged, disappeared, and we were all among the waves. Our sailors, +whose strength had returned at the presence of danger, redoubled their +efforts, uttering mournful sounds. Our bark groaned, the oars were +broken; it was thought aground, but it was stranded; it was upon its +side. The last sea rushed upon us with the impetuosity of a torrent. We +were up to the neck in water; the bitter sea-froth choaked us. The +grapnel was thrown out. The sailors threw themselves into the sea; they +took the children in their arms; returned, and took us upon their +shoulders; and I found myself seated upon the sand on the shore, by the +side of my step-mother, my brothers and sisters, almost dead. Every one +was upon the beach except my father and some sailors; but that good man +arrived at last, to mingle his tears with those of his family and +friends.</p> + +<p>Instantly our hearts joined in addressing our prayers and praises to +God. I raised my hands to heaven, and remained some time immoveable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +upon the beach. Every one also hastened to testify his gratitude to our +old pilot, who, next to God, justly merited the title of our preserver. +M. Dumège, a naval surgeon, gave him an elegant gold watch, the only +thing he had saved from the Medusa.</p> + +<p>Let the reader now recollect all the perils to which we had been exposed +in escaping from the wreck of the frigate to the shores of the +Desert—all that we had suffered during our four days' voyage—and he +will perhaps have a just notion of the various sensations we felt on +getting on shore on that strange and savage land. Doubtless the joy we +experienced at having escaped, as by a miracle, the fury of the floods, +was very great; but how much was it lessened by the feelings of our +horrible situation! Without water, without provisions, and the majority +of us nearly naked, was it to be wondered at that we should be seized +with terror on thinking of the obstacles which we had to surmount, the +fatigues, the privations, the pains and the sufferings we had to endure, +with the dangers we had to encounter in the immense and frightful Desert +we had to traverse before we could arrive at our destination? Almighty +Providence! it was in Thee alone I put my trust.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">THE SHIPWRECKED PARTY FORM THEMSELVES INTO A CARAVAN TO GO BY +LAND TO SENEGAL—THEY FIND WATER IN THE DESERT—SOME PEOPLE OF +THE CARAVAN PROPOSE TO ABANDON THE PICARD FAMILY—GENEROUS +CONDUCT OF AN OLD OFFICER OF INFANTRY—DISCOVERY OF AN OASIS OF +WILD PURSLAIN—FIRST REPAST OF THE CARAVAN IN THE DESERT—THEY +FALL IN WITH A SMALL CAMP OF ARABS—M. PICARD PURCHASES TWO +KIDS—THE MOORS OFFER THEIR SERVICES TO THEM—ARRIVAL AT LAST AT +THE GREAT CAMP OF THE MOORS—M. PICARD IS RECOGNISED BY AN +ARAB—GENEROUS PROCEEDING OF THAT ARAB—SUDDEN DEPARTURE OF THE +CARAVAN—THEY HIRE ASSES.</p> + + +<p>After we had a little recovered from the fainting and fatigue of our +getting on shore, our fellow-sufferers told us they had landed in the +forenoon, and had cleared the breakers by the strength of their oars and +sails; but they had not all been so lucky as we were. One unfortunate +person, too desirous of getting quickly on shore, had his legs broken +under the Shallop, and was taken and laid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> on the beach, and left to the +care of <span title="Transcriber's Note: A period has been added at the end of this sentence.">Providence.</span> M. Espiau, commander of the shallop, reproached us +for having doubted him when he wished to board us to take our family +along with him. It was most true he had landed sixty-three people that +day. A short while after our refusal, he took the passengers of the +yawl, who would infallibly have perished in the stormy night of the 6th +and 7th. The boat named the Senegal, commanded by M. Maudet, had made +the shore at the same time with M. Espiau. The boats of MM. Schmaltz and +Lachaumareys were the only ones which continued the route for Senegal, +whilst nine-tenths of the Frenchmen intrusted to these gentlemen were +butchering each other on the raft, or dying of hunger on the burning +sands of Sahara.</p> + +<p>About seven in the morning, a caravan was formed to penetrate into the +interior, for the purpose of finding some fresh water. We did +accordingly find some at a little distance from the sea, by digging +among the sand. Every one instantly flocked round the little wells, +which furnished enough to quench our thirst. This brackish water was +found to be delicious, although it had a sulphurous taste: its colour +was that of whey. As all our clothes were wet and in tatters, and as we +had nothing to change them, some generous officers offered theirs. My +step-mother, my cousin, and my sister, were dressed in them; for myself, +I preferred keeping my own. We remained nearly an hour beside our +beneficent fountain then took the route for Senegal; that is, a +southerly direction, for we did not know exactly where that country lay. +It was agreed that the females and children should walk before the +cara<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>van, that they might not be left behind. The sailors voluntarily +carried the youngest on their shoulders, and every one took the route +along the coast. Notwithstanding it was nearly seven o'clock, the sand +was quite burning, and we suffered severely, walking without shoes, +having lost them whilst landing. As soon as we arrived on the shore, we +went to walk on the wet sand, to cool us a little. Thus we travelled +during all the night, without encountering any thing but shells, which +wounded our feet.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 9th, we saw an antelope on the top of a little +hill, which instantly disappeared, before we had time to shoot it. The +Desert seemed to our view one immense plain of sand, on which was seen +not one blade of verdure. However, we still found water by digging in +the sand. In the forenoon, two officers of marine complained that our +family incommoded the progress of the caravan. It is true, the females +and the children could not walk so quickly as the men. We walked as fast +as it was possible for us, nevertheless, we often fell behind, which +obliged them to halt till we came up. These officers, joined with other +individuals, considered among themselves whether they would wait for us, +or abandon us in the Desert. I will be bold to say, however, that but +few were of the latter opinion. My father being informed of what was +plotting against us, stepped up to the chiefs of the conspiracy, and +reproached them in the bitterest terms for their selfishness and +brutality. The dispute waxed hot. Those who were desirous of leaving us +drew their swords, and my father put his hand upon a poignard, with +which he had provided himself on quitting the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> frigate. At this scene, +we threw ourselves in between them, conjuring him rather to remain in +the Desert with his family, than seek the assistance of those who were, +perhaps, less humane than the Moors themselves. Several people took our +part, particularly M. Bégnère, captain of infantry, who quieted the +dispute by saying to his soldiers. "My friends, you are Frenchmen, and I +have the honour of being your commander; let us never abandon an +unfortunate family in the Desert, so long as we are able to be of use to +them." This brief, but energetic speech, caused those to blush who +wished to leave us. All then joined with the old captain, saying they +would not leave us on condition we would walk quicker. M. <span title="Transcriber's Note: "Brégnère" changed to "Bégnère"">Bégnère</span> and +his soldiers replied, they did not wish to impose conditions on those to +whom they were desirous of doing a favour; and the unfortunate family of +Picard were again on the road with the whole caravan. Some time after +this dispute, M. Rogéry, member of the Philanthropic Society of Cape +Verd, secretly left the caravan, striking into the middle of the Desert, +without knowing very well what he sought. He wished perhaps to explore +the ancient country of the Numidians and Getulians, and to give himself +a slave to the great Emperor of Morocco. What would it avail to acquire +such celebrity? That intrepid traveller had not time to find that after +which he searched; for a few days after he was captured by the Moors, +and taken to Senegal, where the governor paid his ransom.</p> + +<p>About noon hunger was felt so powerfully among us, that it was agreed +upon to go to the small hills of sand which were near the coast, to see +if any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> herbs could be found fit for eating; but we only got poisonous +plants, among which were various kinds of euphorbium. Convolvuluses of a +bright green carpeted the downs; but on tasting their leaves we found +them as bitter as gall. The caravan rested in this place, whilst several +officers went farther into the interior. They came back in about an +hour, loaded with wild purslain, which they distributed to each of us. +Every one instantly devoured his bunch of herbage, without leaving the +smallest branch; but as our hunger was far from being satisfied with +this small allowance, the soldiers and sailors betook themselves to look +for more. They soon brought back a sufficient quantity, which was +equally distributed, and devoured upon the spot, so delicious had hunger +made that food to us. For myself, I declare I never eat any thing with +so much appetite in all my life. Water was also found in this place, but +it was of an abominable taste. After this truly frugal repast, we +continued our route. The heat was insupportable in the last degree. The +sands on which we trode were burning, nevertheless several of us walked +on these scorching coals without shoes; and the females had nothing but +their hair for a cap. When we reached the sea-shore, we all ran and lay +down among the waves. After remaining there some time, we took our route +along the wet beach. On our journey we met with several large crabs, +which were of considerable service to us. Every now and then we +endeavoured to slake our thirst by sucking their crooked claws. About +nine at night we halted between two pretty high sand hills. After a +short talk concerning our misfortunes, all seemed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> desirous of passing +the night in this place, notwithstanding we heard on every side the +roaring of leopards. We deliberated on the means of securing ourselves, +but sleep soon put an end to our fears. Scarcely had we slumbered a few +hours when a horrible roaring of wild beasts awoke us, and made us stand +on our defence. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and in spite of my +fears and the horrible aspect of the place, nature never appeared so +sublime to me before. Instantly something was announced that resembled a +lion. This information was listened to with the greatest emotion. Every +one being desirous of verifying the truth, fixed upon something he +thought to be the object; one believed he saw the long teeth of the king +of the forest; another was convinced his mouth was already open to +devour us; several, armed with muskets, aimed at the animal, and +advancing a few steps, discovered the pretended lion to be nothing more +than a shrub fluctuating in the breeze. However, the howlings of +ferocious <span title="Transcriber's Note: "beats" changed to "beasts"">beasts</span> had so frightened us, being yet heard at intervals, +that we again sought the sea-shore, on purpose to continue our route +towards the south.</p> + +<p>Our situation had been thus perilous during the night; nevertheless at +break of day we had the satisfaction of finding none amissing. About +sunrise we held a little to the east to get farther into the interior to +find fresh water, and lost much time in a vain search. The country which +we now traversed was a little less arid than that which we had passed +the preceding day. The hills, the valleys, and a vast plain of sand, +were strewed with Mimosa or sensitive plants, presenting to our sight a +scene we had never before seen in the Desert.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> The country is bounded as +it were by a chain of mountains, or high downs of sand, in the direction +of north and south, without the slightest trace of cultivation.</p> + +<p>Towards ten in the morning some of our companions were desirous of +making observations in the interior, and they did not go in vain. They +instantly returned, and told us they had seen two Arab tents upon a +slight rising ground. We instantly directed our steps thither. We had to +pass great downs of sand very slippery, and arrived in a large plain, +streaked here and there with verdure; but the turf was so hard and +piercing, we could scarcely walk over it without wounding our feet. Our +presence in these frightful solitudes put to flight three or four +Moorish shepherds, who herded a small flock of sheep and goats in an +oasis.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> At last we arrived at the tents after which we were searching, +and found in them three Mooresses and two little children, who did not +seem in the least frightened by our visit. A negro servant, belonging to +an officer of marine, interpreted between us; and the good women, who, +when they had heard of our misfortunes, offered us millet and water for +payment. We bought a little of that grain at the rate of thirty pence a +handful; the water was got for three francs a glass; it was very good, +and none grudged the money it cost. As a glass of water, with a handful +of millet, was but a poor dinner for famished people, my father bought +two kids, which they would not give him under twenty piasters. We +immediately killed them, and our Mooresses boil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>ed them in a large +kettle. Whilst our repast was preparing, my father, who could not afford +the whole of the expense, got others to contribute to it; but an old +officer of marine, who was to have been captain of the port of Senegal, +was the only person who refused, notwithstanding he had about him nearly +three thousand francs, which he boasted of in the end. Several soldiers +and sailors had seen him count it in round pieces of gold, on coming +ashore on the Desert, and reproached him for his sordid avarice; but he +seemed insensible to their reproaches, nor eat the less of his portion +of kid with his companions in misfortune.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> Oasis, a fertile tract of land situated among sand. T.</p></div> + +<p>When about to resume our journey, we saw several Moors approaching to us +armed with lances. Our people instantly seized their arms, and put +themselves in readiness to defend us in case of an attack. Two officers, +followed by several soldiers and sailors, with our interpreter, advanced +to discover their intentions. They instantly returned with the Moors, +who said, that far from wishing to do us harm, they had come to offer us +their assistance, and to conduct us to Senegal. This offer being +accepted of with gratitude by all of us, the Moors, of whom we had been +so afraid, became our protectors and friends, verifying the old proverb, +<i>there are good people every where</i>! As the camp of the Moors was at +some considerable distance from where we were, we set off altogether to +reach it before night. After having walked about two leagues through the +burning sands, we found ourselves again upon the shore. Towards night, +our conductors made us strike again into the interior, saying we were +very near their camp, which is called in their language Berkelet. But +the short<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> distance of the Moors was found very long by the females and +the children, on account of the downs of sand which we had to ascend and +descend every instant, also of prickly shrubs over which we were +frequently obliged to walk. Those who were barefooted, felt most +severely at this time the want of their shoes. I myself lost among the +bushes various shreds of my dress, and my feet and legs were all +streaming with blood. At length, after two long hours of walking and +suffering, we arrived at the camp of that tribe to which belonged our +Arab conductors. We had scarcely got into the camp, when the dogs, the +children, and the Moorish women, began to annoy us. Some of them threw +sand in our eyes, others amused themselves by snatching at our hair, on +pretence of wishing to examine it. This pinched us, that spit upon us; +the dogs bit our legs, whilst the old harpies cut the buttons from the +officers coats, or endeavoured to take away the lace. Our conductors, +however, had pity on us, and chased away the dogs and the curious crowd, +who had already made us suffer as much as the thorns which had torn our +feet. The chiefs of the camp, our guides, and some good women, at last +set about getting us some supper. Water in abundance was given us +without payment, and they sold us fish dried in the sun, and some +bowlfuls of sour milk, all at a reasonable price.</p> + +<p>We found a Moor in the camp who had previously known my father at +Senegal, and who spoke a little French. As soon as he recognised him, he +cried, "Tiens toi, Picard! ni a pas connaître moi Amet?" Hark ye, +Picard, know you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> not Amet? We were all struck with astonishment at +these French words coming from the mouth of a Moor. My father +recollected having employed long ago a young goldsmith at Senegal, and +discovering the Moor Amet to be the same person, shook him by the hand. +After that good fellow had been made acquainted with our shipwreck, and +to what extremities our unfortunate family had been reduced, he could +not refrain from tears; and this perhaps was the first time a Musulman +had ever wept over the misfortunes of a Christian. Amet was not +satisfied with deploring our hard fate; he was desirous of proving that +he was generous and humane, and instantly distributed among us a large +quantity of milk and water free of any charge. He also raised for our +family a large tent of the skins of camels, cattle and sheep, because +his religion would not allow him to lodge with Christians under the same +roof. The place appeared very dark, and the obscurity made us uneasy. +Amet and our conductors lighted a large fire to quiet us; and at last, +bidding us good night, and retiring to his tent, said, "Sleep in peace; +the God of the Christians is also the God of the Musulmen."</p> + +<p>We had resolved to quit this truly hospitable place early in the +morning; but during the night, some people who had probably too much +money, imagined the Moors had taken us to their camp to plunder us. They +communicated their fears to others, and pretending that the Moors, who +walked up and down among their flocks, and cried from time to time, to +keep away the ferocious beasts, had already given the signal for +pursuing and murdering us. Instantly a general panic seiz<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>ed all our +people, and they wished to set off forthwith. My father, although he +well knew the perfidy of the inhabitants of the Desert, endeavoured to +assure them we had nothing to fear, because the Arabs were too +frightened for the people of Senegal, who would not fail to avenge us if +we were insulted; but nothing could quiet their apprehensions, and we +had to take the route during the middle of the night. The Moors being +soon acquainted with our fears, made us all kinds of protestations; and +seeing we persisted in quitting the camp, offered us asses to carry us +as far as the Senegal. These beasts of burden were hired at the rate of +12 francs a day, for each head, and we took our departure under the +guidance of those Moors who had before conducted us to the camp. Amet's +wife being unwell, he could not accompany us, but recommended us +strongly to our guides. My father was able to hire only two asses for +the whole of our family; and as it was numerous, my sister Caroline, my +cousin, and myself, were obliged to crawl along, whilst my unfortunate +father followed in the suite of the caravan, which in truth went much +quicker than we did.</p> + +<p>A short distance from the camp, the brave and compassionate Captain +Bégnère, seeing we still walked, obliged us to accept of the ass he had +hired for himself, saying he would not ride when young ladies, exhausted +with fatigue, followed on foot. The King afterwards honourably +recompensed this worthy officer, who ceased not to regard our +unfortunate family with a care and attention I will never forget.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<p>During the remainder of the night, we travelled in a manner sufficiently +agreeable, mounting alternately the ass of Captain Bégnère.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">THE CARAVAN REGAINS THE SHORE—A SAIL IS DISCOVERED—IT BRINGS +ASSISTANCE TO THE CARAVAN—GREAT GENEROSITY OF AN +ENGLISHMAN—CONTINUATION OF THEIR JOURNEY—EXTRAORDINARY +HEAT—THEY KILL A BULLOCK—REPAST OF THE CARAVAN—AT LAST THEY +DISCOVER THE RIVER SENEGAL—JOY OF THE UNFORTUNATE—M. PICARD +RECEIVES ASSISTANCE FROM SOME OLD FRIENDS AT SENEGAL—HOSPITALITY +OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE ISLAND OF ST LOUIS TOWARDS EVERY PERSON +OF THE CARAVAN.</p> + + +<p>At five in the morning of the 11th of July we regained the sea-shore. +Our asses, fatigued with the long journey among the sands, ran instantly +and lay down among the breakers, in spite of our utmost exertions to +prevent them. This caused several of us to take a bath we wished not: I +was myself held under my ass in the water, and had great difficulty in +saving one of my young brothers who was floating away. But, in the end, +as this incident had no unfortunate issue, we laughed, and continued our +route, some on foot,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> and some on the capricious asses. Towards ten +o'clock, perceiving a ship out at sea, we attached a white handkerchief +to the muzzle of a gun, waving it in the air, and soon had the +satisfaction of seeing it was noticed. The ship having approached +sufficiently near the coast, the Moors who were with us threw themselves +into the sea, and swam to it. It must be said we had very wrongfully +supposed that these people had had a design against us, for their +devotion could not appear greater than when five of them darted through +the waves to endeavour to communicate between us and the ship; +notwithstanding, it was still a good quarter of a league distant from +where we stood on the beach. In about half an hour we saw these good +Moors returning, making float before them three small barrels. Arrived +on shore, one of them gave a letter to M. Espiau from M. Parnajon. This +gentleman was the captain of the Argus brig, sent to seek after the +raft, and to give us provisions. This letter announced a small barrel of +biscuit, a tierce of wine, a half tierce of brandy, and a Dutch cheese. +O fortunate event! We were very desirous of testifying our gratitude to +the generous commander of the brig, but he instantly set out and left +us. We staved the barrels which held our small stock of provisions, and +made a distribution. Each of us had a biscuit, about a glass of wine, a +half glass of brandy, and a small morsel of cheese. Each drank his +allowance of wine at one gulp; the brandy was not even despised by the +ladies. I however preferred quantity to quality, and exchanged my ration +of brandy for that of wine. To describe our joy, whilst taking this +repast, is impossible. Exposed to the fierce<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> rays of a vertical sun; +exhausted by a long train of suffering; deprived for a long while the +use of any kind of spirituous liquors, when our portions of water, wine, +and brandy, mingled in our stomachs we became like insane people. Life, +which had lately been a great burden, now became precious to us. +Foreheads, lowering and sulky, began to unwrinkle; enemies became most +brotherly; the avaricious endeavoured to forget their selfishness and +cupidity; the children smiled for the first time since our shipwreck; in +a word, every one seemed to be born again from a condition melancholy +and dejected. I even believe the sailors sung the praises of their +mistresses.</p> + +<p>This journey was the most fortunate for us. Some short while after our +delicious meal, we saw several Moors approaching, who brought milk and +butter, so that we had refreshments in abundance. It is true we paid a +little dear for them; the glass of milk cost not less than three francs. +After reposing about three hours, our caravan proceeded on its route.</p> + +<p>About six in the evening, my father finding himself extremely fatigued, +wished to rest himself. We allowed the caravan to move on, whilst my +step-mother and myself remained near him, and the rest of the family +followed with their asses. We all three soon fell asleep. When we awoke, +we were astonished at not seeing our companions. The sun was sinking in +the west. We saw several Moors approaching us, mounted on camels; and my +father reproached himself for having slept so long. Their appearance +gave us great uneasiness, and we wished much to escape from them, but my +step-mother and myself fell quite exhaust<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>ed. The Moors, with long +beards, having come quite close to us, one of them alighted and +addressed us in the following words. "Be comforted, ladies; under the +costume of an Arab, you see an Englishman who is desirous of serving +you. Having heard at Senegal that Frenchmen were thrown ashore on these +deserts, I thought my presence might be of some service to them, as I +was acquainted with several of the princes of this arid country." These +noble words from the mouth of a man we had at first taken to be a Moor, +instantly quieted our fears. Recovering from our fright, we rose and +expressed to the philanthropic Englishman the gratitude we felt. Mr +Carnet,<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> the name of the generous Briton, told us that our caravan, +which he had met, waited for us at about the distance of two leagues. He +then gave us some biscuit, which we eat; and we then set off together to +join our companions. Mr Carnet wished us to mount his camels, but my +stepmother and myself, being unable to persuade ourselves we could sit +securely on their hairy haunches, continued to walk on the moist <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>sand, +whilst my father, Mr Carnet, and the Moors who accompanied him, +proceeded on the camels. We soon reached a little river, called in the +country Marigot des Maringoins. We wished to drink of it, but found it +as salt as the sea. Mr Carnet desired us to have patience, and we should +find some at the place where our caravan waited. We forded that river +knee-deep. At last, having walked about an hour, we rejoined our +companions, who had found several wells of fresh water. It was resolved +to pass the night in this place, which seemed less arid than any we saw +near us. The soldiers, being requested to go and seek wood to light a +fire, for the purpose of frightening the ferocious beasts which were +heard roaring around us, refused; but Mr Carnet assured us, that the +Moors who were with him knew well how to keep all such intruders from +our camp. In truth, during the whole of the night, these good Arabs +promenaded round our caravan, uttering cries at intervals like those we +had heard in the camp of the generous Amet.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> In the work of MM. Corréard and Savigny, this gentleman is +made mention of in substance as follows. "On the evening of the 11th, +they met with more of the natives, and an Irishman, captain of a +merchantman, who, of his own accord, had left St Louis with the +intention of assisting the sufferers. He spoke the language of the +country, and was dressed in the Moorish costume. We are sorry we cannot +recollect the name of this foreign officer, which we would have a real +pleasure in publishing; but, since time has effaced it from our +memories, we will at least publish his zeal and his noble efforts, +titles well worthy the gratitude of every feeling heart." pp. 164-165. +Paris, 1818, 8vo.—<i>Trans.</i></p></div> + +<p>We passed a very good night, and at four in the morning continued our +route along the shore. Mr Carnet left us to endeavour to procure some +provisions. Till then our asses had been quite docile; but, annoyed with +their riders so long upon their backs, they refused to go forward. A fit +took possession of them, and all at the same instant threw their riders +on the ground, or among the bushes. The Moors, however, who accompanied +us, assisted to catch our capricious animals, who had nearly scampered +off, and replaced us on the hard backs of these headstrong creatures. At +noon the heat became so violent, that even the Moors<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> themselves bore it +with difficulty. We then determined on finding some shade behind the +high mounds of sand which appeared in the interior; but how were we to +reach them! The sands could not be hotter. We had been obliged to leave +our asses on the shore, for they would neither advance nor recede. The +greater part of us had neither shoes nor hats; notwithstanding, we were +obliged to go forward almost a long league to find a little shade. The +heat reflected by the sands of the Desert could be compared to nothing +but the mouth of an oven at the moment of drawing out the bread; +nevertheless, we endured it; but not without cursing those who had been +the occasion of all our misfortunes. Arrived behind the heights for +which we searched, we stretched ourselves under the Mimosa-gommier, (the +acacia of the Desert), several broke branches from the asclepia +(swallow-wort), and made themselves a shade. But whether from want of +air, or the heat of the ground on which we were seated, we were nearly +all suffocated. I thought my last hour was come. Already my eyes saw +nothing but a dark cloud, when a person of the name of Borner, who was +to have been a smith at Senegal, gave me a boot containing some muddy +water, which he had had the precaution to keep. I seized the elastic +vase, and hastened to swallow the liquid in large draughts. One of my +companions, equally tormented with thirst, envious of the pleasure I +seemed to feel, and which I felt effectually, drew the foot from the +boot, and seized it in his turn, but it availed him nothing. The water +which remained was so disgusting, that he could not drink it, and +spilled it on the ground. Captain Bégnère, who was pre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>sent, judging, by +the water which fell, how loathsome must that have been which I had +drank, offered me some crumbs of biscuit, which he had kept most +carefully in his pocket. I chewed that mixture of bread, dust, and +tobacco, but I could not swallow it, and gave it all masticated to one +of my young brothers, who had fallen from inanition.</p> + +<p>We were about to quit this furnace, when we saw our generous Englishman +approaching, who brought us provisions. At this sight I felt my strength +revive, and ceased to desire death, which I had before called on to +release me from my sufferings. Several Moors accompanied Mr Carnet, and +every one was loaded. On their arrival we had water, with rice and dried +fish in abundance. Every one drank his allowance of water, but had not +ability to eat, although the rice was excellent. We were all anxious to +return to the sea, that we might bathe ourselves, and the caravan put +itself on the road to the breakers of Sahara. After an hour's march of +great suffering, we regained the shore, as well as our asses, who were +lying in the water. We rushed among the waves, and after a bath of half +an hour, we reposed ourselves upon the beach. My cousin and I went to +stretch ourselves upon a small rising ground, where we were shaded with +some old clothes which we had with us. My cousin was clad in an +officer's uniform, the lace of which strongly attracted the eyes of Mr +Carnet's Moors. Scarcely had we lain down, when one of them, thinking we +were asleep, came to endeavour to steal it; but seeing we were awake, +contented himself by looking at us very steadfastly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<p>Such is the slight incident which it has pleased MM. <span title="Transcriber's Note: "Correard" changed to "Corréard"">Corréard</span> and +Savigny to relate in their account of the shipwreck of the Medusa in a +totally different manner. Believing doubtless to make it more +interesting or amusing, they say, that one of the Moors who were our +guides, either through curiosity or a stronger sentiment, approached +Miss Picard whilst asleep, and, after having examined her form, raised +the covering which concealed her bosom, gazing awhile like one +astonished, at length drew nearer, but durst not touch her. Then, after +having looked a long while, he replaced the covering; and, returning to +his companions, related in a joyous manner what he had seen. Several +Frenchmen having observed the proceedings of the Moor, told M. Picard, +who, after the obliging offers of the officers, decided in clothing the +rest of the ladies in the military dress on purpose to prevent their +being annoyed by the attentions of the inhabitants of the Desert. Mighty +well! I beg pardon of MM. Corréard and Savigny, but there is not one +word of truth in all this. How could these gentlemen see from the raft +that which passed during the 12th of July on the shore of the Desert of +Sahara? And supposing that this was reported to them by some one of our +caravan, and inserted in their work, which contains various other +inaccuracies, I have to inform them they have been deceived.</p> + +<p>About three in the morning, a north-west wind having sprung up and a +little refreshed us, our caravan continued its route; our generous +Englishman again taking the task of procuring us provisions. At four +o'clock the sky became overcast, and we heard thunder in the distance. +We all expected a great tempest, which, happily did not take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> place. +Near seven we reached the spot where we were to wait for Mr. Carnet, who +came to us with a bullock he had purchased. Then quitting the shore, we +went into the interior to seek a place to cook our supper. We fixed our +camp beside a small wood of acacias, near to which were several wells or +cisterns of fresh water. Our ox was instantly killed, <span title="Transcriber's Note: "skined" changed to "skinned"">skinned</span>, cut to +pieces, and distributed. A large fire was kindled, and each was occupied +in dressing his meal. At this time I caught a smart fever; +notwithstanding I could not help laughing at seeing every one seated +round a large fire holding his piece of beef on the point of a bayonet, +a sabre, or some sharp-pointed stick. The flickering of the flames on +the different faces, sunburned and covered with long beards, rendered +more visible by the darkness of the night, joined to the noise of the +waves and the roaring of ferocious beasts which we heard in the +distance, presented a spectacle at once laughable and imposing. If a +David or a Girodet had seen us, said I to myself, we would soon have +been represented on canvass in the galleries of the Louvre as real +cannibals; and the Parisian youth, who know not what pleasure it is to +devour a handful of wild purslain, to drink muddy water from a boot, to +eat a roast cooked in smoke—who know not, in a word, how comfortable it +is to have it in one's power to satisfy one's appetite when hungry in +the burning deserts of Africa, would never have believed that, among +these half-savages, were several born on the banks of the Seine.</p> + +<p>Whilst these thoughts were passing across my mind, sleep overpowered my +senses. Being awak<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>ed in the middle of the night, I found my portion of +beef in the shoes which an old sailor had lent me for walking among the +thorns. Although it was a little burned and smelt strongly of the dish +in which it was contained, I eat a good part of it, and gave the rest to +my friend the sailor. That seaman, seeing I was ill, offered to exchange +my meat for some which he had had the address to boil in a small +tin-box. I prayed him to give me a little water if he had any, and he +instantly went and fetched me some in his hat. My thirst was so great +that I drank it out of this nasty cap without the slightest repugnance.</p> + +<p>A short while after, every one awoke, and again took the route for +arriving at Senegal at an early hour. Towards seven in the morning, +having fallen a little behind the caravan, I saw several Moors coming +towards me armed with lances. A young sailor boy, aged about twelve +years, who sometimes walked with me, stopped and cried in great terror, +"Ah! my God, lady, see the Moors are coming, and the caravan is already +a great way before us; if they should carry us away?" I told him to fear +nothing, although I was really more frightened than he was. These Arabs +of the Desert soon came up to us. One of them advanced with a +threatening air, and stopping my ass, addressed to me, in his barbarous +language, some words which he pronounced with menacing gestures. My +little ship-boy having made his escape, I began to weep; for the Moor +always prevented my ass going forward, who was perhaps as well content +at resting a little. However, from the gestures which he made, I +supposed he wished to know whither I was going, and I cried as loud as +I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> could, "<i>Ndar! Ndar!</i>" (Senegal! Senegal!) the only African words I +then knew. At this the Moor let go the bridle of my ass, and also +assisted me by making him feel the full weight of the pole of his lance, +and then ran off to his companions, who were roaring and laughing. I was +well content at being freed from my fears; and what with the word +<i>ndar</i>, and the famous thump of his spear, which was doubtless intended +for my ass, I soon rejoined the caravan. I told my parents of my +adventure, who were ignorant of what had detained me; they reprimanded +me as they ought, and I promised faithfully never again to quit them.</p> + +<p>At nine o'clock we met upon the shore a large flock herded by young +Moors. These shepherds sold us milk, and one of them offered to lend my +father an ass for a knife which he had seen him take from his pocket. My +father having accepted the proposal, the Moor left his companions to +accompany us as far as the river Senegal, from which we were yet two +good leagues. There happened a circumstance in the forenoon which had +like to have proved troublesome, but it turned out pleasantly. The +steersman of the Medusa was sleeping upon the sand, when a Moor found +means to steal his sabre. The Frenchman awoke, and as soon as he saw the +thief escaping with his booty, rose and pursued him with horrid oaths. +The Arab, seeing himself followed by a furious European, returned, fell +upon his knees, and laid at the feet of the steersman the sabre which he +had stolen; who, in his turn, touched with this mark of confidence or +repentance, voluntarily gave it to him to keep. During this scene we +frequently stopped to see how it would terminate, whilst the caravan +con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>tinued its route. Suddenly we left the shore. Our companions +appearing quite transported with joy, some of us ran forward, and having +gained a slight rising ground, discovered the Senegal at no great +distance from them. We hastened our march, and for the first time since +our shipwreck, a smiling picture presented itself to our view. The trees +always green, with which that noble river is shaded, the humming birds, +the red-birds, the paroquets, the promerops, &c. who flitted among their +long yielding branches, caused in us emotions difficult to express. We +could not satiate our eyes with gazing on the beauties of this place, +verdure being so enchanting to the sight, especially after having +travelled through the Desert. Before reaching the river, we had to +descend a little hill covered with thorny bushes. My ass stumbling threw +me into the midst of one, and I tore myself in several places, but was +easily consoled when I at length found myself on the banks of a river of +fresh water. Every one having quenched his thirst, we stretched +ourselves under the shade of a small grove, whilst the beneficent Mr +Carnet and two of our officers set forward to Senegal to announce our +arrival, and to get us boats. In the meanwhile some took a little +repose, and others were engaged in dressing the wounds with which they +were covered.</p> + +<p>At two in the afternoon, we saw a small boat beating against the current +of the stream with oars. It soon reached the spot where we were. Two +Europeans landed, saluted our caravans, and inquired for my father. One +of them said he came on the part of MM. Artigue and Labouré, inhabitants +of Senegal, to offer assistance to our fa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>mily; the other added, that he +had not waited for the boats which were getting ready for us at the +island of St Louis, knowing too well what would be our need. We were +desirous of thanking them, but they instantly ran off to the boat and +brought us provisions, which my father's old friends had sent him. They +placed before us large baskets containing several loaves, cheese, a +bottle of Madeira, a bottle of filtered water, and dresses for my +father. Every one, who, during our journey, had taken any interest in +our unfortunate family, and especially the brave Captain Bégnère, had a +share of our provisions. We experienced a real satisfaction in partaking +with them, and giving them this small mark of our gratitude.</p> + +<p>A young aspirant of marine, who had refused us a glass of water in the +Desert, pressed with hunger, begged of us some bread; he got it, also a +small glass of Madeira.</p> + +<p>It was four o'clock before the boats of the government arrived, and we +all embarked. Biscuit and wine were found in each of them, and all were +refreshed.</p> + +<p>That in which our family were was commanded by M. Artigue, captain of +the port, and one of those who had sent us provisions. My father and he +embraced as two old friends who had not seen one another for eight +years, and congratulated themselves that they had been permitted to meet +once more before they died. We had already made a league upon the river +when a young navy clerk (M. Mollien) was suddenly taken ill. We put him +ashore, and left him to the care of a ne<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>gro to conduct him to Senegal +when he should recover.</p> + +<p>Immediately the town of St Louis presented itself to our view. At the +distance its appearance is fine; but in proportion as it is approached +the illusion vanishes, and it looks as it really is—dirty, very ill +built, poor, and filled with straw huts black with smoke. At six in the +evening we arrived at the port of St Louis. It would be in vain for me +to paint the various emotions of my mind at that delicious moment. I am +bold to say all the colony, if we except MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys, +were at the port to receive us from our boats. M. Artigue going on shore +first to acquaint the English governor of our arrival, met him coming to +us on horseback, followed by our generous conductor Mr Carnet, and +several superior officers. We went on shore carrying our brothers and +sisters in our arms. My father presented us to the English governor, who +had alighted; he appeared to be sensibly affected with our misfortunes, +the females and children chiefly exciting his commiseration. And the +native inhabitants and Europeans tenderly shook the hands of the +unfortunate people; the negro slaves even seemed to deplore our +disastrous fate.</p> + +<p>The governor placed the most sickly of our companions in an hospital; +various inhabitants of the colony received others into their houses; M. +Artigue obligingly took charge of our family. Arriving at his house we +there found his wife, two ladies and an English lady, who begged to be +allowed to assist us. Taking my sister Caroline and myself, she +conducted us to her house, and presented us to her husband, who received +us in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> the most affable manner; after which she led us to her +dressing-room, where we were combed, cleansed, and dressed by the +domestic negresses, and were most obligingly furnished with linen from +her own wardrobe, the whiteness of which was strongly contrasted with +our sable countenances. In the midst of my misfortunes my soul had +preserved all its strength; but this sudden change of situation affected +me so much, that I thought my intellectual faculties were forsaking me. +When I had a little recovered from my faintness, our generous hostess +conducted us to the saloon, where we found her husband and several +English officers sitting at table. These gentlemen invited us to partake +of their repast; but we took nothing but tea and some pastry. Among +these English was a young Frenchman, who, speaking sufficiently well +their language, served to interpret between us. Inviting us to recite to +them the story of our shipwreck and all our misfortunes, which we did in +few words, they were astonished how females and children had been able +to endure so much fatigue and misery. We were so confused by our +agitation, that we scarcely heard the questions which were put to us, +having constantly before our eyes the foaming waves, and the immense +tract of sand over which we had passed. As they saw we had need of +repose, they all retired, and our worthy Englishwoman put us to bed, +where we were not long before we fell into a profound sleep.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">THE ENGLISH REFUSE TO CEDE THE COLONY OF SENEGAL TO THE +FRENCH—THE WHOLE OF THE FRENCH EXPEDITION ARE OBLIGED TO GO AND +ENCAMP ON THE PENINSULA OF CAPE VERD—THE PICARD FAMILY OBTAIN +LEAVE OF THE ENGLISH GOVERNOR TO REMAIN AT SENEGAL—POVERTY OF +THAT FAMILY—ASSISTANCE WHICH THEY RECEIVE—ENTERPRISE OF M. +PICARD—RESTORATION OF THE COLONY TO THE FRENCH—DESCRIPTION OF +SENEGAL AND ITS ENVIRONS.</p> + + +<p>At nine o'clock next morning, after our arrival, we felt quite free from +all our fatigues. We arose, and, as soon as we were dressed, went to +thank our generous host and hostess, Mr and Mrs Kingsley; then went to +see our parents; and afterwards returned to our benefactors, who were +waiting breakfast for us. Our conversation was frequently interrupted +during our meal, as they were but little acquainted with the French +language, and we knew nothing of English. After breakfast we learned +that the English governor had not received any orders for giving up the +colony to the French; and until that took place, the whole of the +French<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> expedition would be obliged to go to the peninsula of Cape Verd, +distant from Senegal about fifty leagues. This information distressed us +much, but our affliction was at its height, when my father came and told +that the French governor, M. Schmaltz, had ordered him to quit Senegal +with all his family, and go and stay at Cape Verd, until farther orders. +Mr and Mrs Kingsley, sensibly affected with the misfortunes we had +already experienced, assured us they would not part with us, and that +they would endeavour to obtain the permission of the English governor. +In fact, on the following day, that gentleman informed us by his +aid-de-camp, that, having seen the wretched condition in which our +family were, he had allowed us to remain at Senegal, and that he had +permitted all the officers of the Medusa to stay. This renewed instance +of the benevolence of the English governor tranquillized us. We remained +comfortably at the house of our benefactors; but a great part of our +unhappy companions in misfortune, fearing if they stayed at Senegal they +would disobey the French governor, set off for Cape Verd, where hunger +and death awaited them. Our family lived nearly twenty days with our +benevolent hosts MM. Artigue and Kingsley; but my father, fearing we +were too great a burden for the extraordinary expenses which they made +each day for us, hired a small apartment, and, on the first of August, +we took possession of it, to the great regret of our generous friends, +who wished us to stay with them till the surrender of the colony. When +we were settled in out new habitation, my father sent a petition to M. +Schmaltz, for the purpose of obtaining provisions from the general +magazine of the French<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> administration; but, angry with the reception we +had met with from the English, he replied he could not give him any +thing. Nevertheless, several French officers, who, like ourselves, had +remained at Senegal, each day received their rations, or, which was +better, were admitted to the table of M. D——, with whom also the +governor, his family and staff, messed. It may be remarked here, that +this same M. D——, advanced to the governor of the forts, in provisions +and money, to the amount of 50,000 francs; and, it was the general +opinion, found means to charge cent. per cent. on these advances, as a +small perquisite for himself; moreover, he received, at the request of +the governor, the decoration of the Legion of Honour. But I return to +that which concerns myself. My father being unable to obtain any thing, +either from the governor or M. D——, was obliged to borrow money to +enable us to subsist. We were reduced to feed on negroes food, for our +means would not allow us to purchase bread at 15 sous the pound, and +wine at 3 francs the bottle. However, we were content, and perfectly +resigned to our fate; when an English officer, Major Peddie, came and +visited us precisely at the moment we were at dinner. That gentleman, +astonished at seeing an officer of the French administration dining upon +a dish of Kouskou,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> said to my father: "How, Mr Picard! you being in +the employment of your government, and living so meanly!" Mortified that +a stranger should have seen his misery, my father felt his tears +flowing; but, instantly collecting himself, said in a calm yet firm +tone, "Know, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>Sir, that I blush not for my poverty, and that you have +wronged me by upbraiding me. It is true I have not food like the other +Europeans in the colony; but I do not consider myself the more +unfortunate. I have requested the man who represents my sovereign in +this country, to give me the rations to which I have a right; but he has +had the inhumanity to refuse. But what of that? I know how to submit, +and my family also." Major Peddie, at these words, touched with our +misfortunes, and vexed, doubtless, at having mortified us, though that +certainly was not his intention, bade us good bye, and retired. Early on +the morning of next day, we received a visit from M. Dubois, mayor of +the town of St Louis in Senegal. That good and virtuous magistrate told +us he had come, at the instance of the English governor, to offer us +assistance; viz. an officer's allowance, which consisted of bread, wine, +meat, sugar, coffee, &c. As my father had not been able to procure any +thing from governor Schmaltz, he thought it his duty to accept that +which the English governor had so generously offered. We thanked M. +Dubois; and, in a few hours afterwards, we had plenty of provisions sent +to us.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7" class="fnanchor">7</a> Vide <a href="#NOTE_A">Note A</a>.</p></div> + +<p>If my father had made himself some enemies among the authors of the +shipwreck of the Medusa, and the abandoning the raft, he was recompensed +by real good friends among the old inhabitants of Senegal, who, with +himself, deplored the fate of the unfortunate beings who were left in +the midst of the ocean. Among the numerous friends my father had, I +ought particularly to mention the families of Pellegrin, Darneville, +Lamotte, Dubois, Artigue, Feuilletaine, Labouré, Valentin,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> Debonnet, +Boucaline, Waterman, &c.: And in truth all the inhabitants of Senegal, +if we except one family, were disposed to befriend us. Even the poor +negroes of the interior, after hearing of our misfortunes, came and +offered us a small share of their crop. Some gave us beans, others +brought us milk, eggs, &c.; in a word, every one offered us some +assistance, after they had heard to what misery our shipwreck had +reduced us.</p> + +<p>About a month after our arrival at Senegal, we went to look at the +islands of Babaguey and Safal, situated about two leagues from the town +of St Louis. The first of these islands had been given to M. Artigue, +who had cultivated it; the other had been given to my father in 1807, +and he had planted in it about one hundred thousand cotton plants, when +the capture of Senegal by the English in 1809 obliged him to abandon his +projects, and return to France.</p> + +<p>Those who have seen the countries of Europe, and admired the fine soil +of France, need not expect to enjoy the same scene at Senegal. Every +where nature shows a savage and arid aspect; every where the dregs of a +desert and parched soil presents itself to the view; and it is only by +care and unremitting toil it can be made to produce any thing. All the +cotton which my father had planted in the island of Safal had been +devoured by the cattle during his absence; he found not a plant. He then +proposed to begin again his first operations. After having walked round +the island of Safal, we went to dine with M. Artigue in the island of +Babaguey, where we spent the remainder of the day, and in the evening +returned to the town of Senegal. Some days after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> this jaunt, my father +endeavoured to find whether the plants with which the island was covered +would be useful in making potass. He arranged with a person in Senegal +to hire for him some negroes, and a canoe to gather the ashes of the +plants after they were burned. A covered gallery which we had in the +small house we inhabited, seemed convenient to hold the apparatus of our +manufacture. Here we placed our coppers. We then commenced the making of +potass, waiting for the surrender of the colony. The first essay we made +gave us hopes. Our ashes produced a potass of fine colour, and we did +not doubt of succeeding, when we should have sent a sample of it to +France. We made about four barrels, and my father sent a box of it to a +friend of his at Paris to analyze. Whilst waiting the reply of the +chemist, he hired three negroes to begin the cultivation of his island +of Safal. He went himself to direct their operations, but he fell ill of +fatigue. Fortunately his illness was not of long continuance, and in the +month of December he was perfectly recovered. At this period an English +expedition went from Senegal into the interior of Africa, commanded by +Major Peddie,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> the gentleman who had given so great assistance to the +unfortunates of the Medusa. That worthy philanthropic Englishman died +soon after his departure; we sincerely lamented him.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8" class="fnanchor">8</a> Vide <a href="#NOTE_B">Note B</a>.</p></div> + +<p>On the 1st of January 1817, the colony of Senegal was surrendered to the +French. The English left it, some for Great Britain, others for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>Sierra +Leone and the Cape of Good Hope; and France entered into all her +possessions on the west coast of Africa. We remained yet a month in our +first house; at last we procured one much larger. My father then +commenced his functions of attorney, and we at last began to receive +provisions from the French government. The house in which we lived was +very large; but the employment which my father followed was very +incompatible with the tranquillity we desired. To remove us from the +noise and tumultuous conversations of the people who perpetually came to +the office, we had a small hut of reeds constructed for us in the midst +of our garden, which was very large. Here my sister, my cousin, and +myself, passed the greater part of the day. From that time we began to +see a little of the world, and to return unavoidable visits. Every +Sunday the family went to the island of Safal, where we very agreeably +spent the day; for that day seemed as short in the country, as the six +other days of the week were long and listless at Senegal. That country +was so little calculated for people of our age, that we continually +teazed our father to return with us to France. But as he had great +expectations from the manufacture of potass, he made us stay, as we +would be of great service to him in the end, for superintending the +works of that manufacture.</p> + +<p>It is now time to give a brief description of Senegal and its environs, +to enable the reader better to appreciate that which I have to say in +the sequel.</p> + +<p>Travellers who have written about Africa, have given too magnificent a +picture of that country<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> known by the name of Senegal. Apparently, after +the fatigues of a long and tedious journey, they have been charmed with +the first fresh spot where they could repose. That first impression has +all the force of reality to the superficial observer; but if he remain +any time, the illusion vanishes, and Senegal appears what it really +is—a parched and barren country, destitute of the most necessary +vegetables for the nourishment and preservation of the health of man.</p> + +<p>The town of St Louis, which is also called Senegal, because it is the +head-quarters of the French establishments on that coast, is built upon +a small island or a bank of sand, formed in the midst of the river +Senegal, at about two leagues from its mouth. It is two thousand toises +in length, and three hundred in breadth. The native inhabitants of the +country call it Ndar, and Ba-Fing, or Black River, the river which +waters it. The last name corresponds to that of Niger, which ancient +geographers have given to that river.</p> + +<p>The population of St Louis is about ten thousand souls, five hundred of +whom are Europeans, two thousand negroes or free mulattoes, and nearly +seven thousand five hundred slaves. There are about one hundred and +fifty houses in St Louis inhabited by Europeans; the remainder consists +of simple squares, or huts of straw, which a slight flame would cause to +vanish in a moment, as well as all the houses of brick which are near +them. The streets are spacious, but not paved. The greater part are so +completely filled with sand, which the winds and hurricanes bring from +the deserts of Sahara, that it is nearly impossible to walk along them +when the winds are blowing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> That fine and burning sand so impregnates +the air, that it is inhaled, and swallowed with the food; in short, it +penetrates every thing. The narrow and little frequented streets are +often blocked up. Some of the houses are fine enough; they have but one +story. Some have covered galleries; but in general the roofs are in the +Oriental fashion, in the form of a terrace.</p> + +<p>The gardens of Senegal, though their plants have been much praised, are +nevertheless few in number, and in very bad condition. The whole of +their cultivation is limited to some bad cabbages, devoured by the +insects, a plot of bitter radishes, and two or three beds of salad, +withered before it is fit for use; but these vegetables, it must be +said, are very exquisite, because there are none better. The governor's +garden, however, is stocked with various plants, such as cucumbers, +melons, carrots, Indian pinks, some plants of barren ananas, and some +marigolds. There are also in the garden three date trees, a small vine +arbour, and some young American and Indian plants. But these do not +thrive, as much on account of the poverty of the soil, as the hot winds +of the Desert, which wither them. Some, nevertheless, are vigorous, from +being sheltered by walls, and frequently watered.</p> + +<p>Five or six trees, somewhat bushy (island fig-trees), are planted here +and there in the streets, where may be seen also four or five baobabs, +the leaves of which are devoured by the negroes before they are fully +blown,<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> and a palm of the spe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>cies of Ronn, which serves as a +signal-post for ships at sea.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9" class="fnanchor">9</a> The negroes use the leaves of the Baobab as gluten, prepare +their Kouskou, (a kind of pulp).</p></div> + +<p>A league and a half from the island of St Louis, is situated the island +of Babaguey. It is almost entirely cultivated, but the soil is so arid +that it will scarcely grow any thing but cotton. There is a military +station on this island, and a signal-post. MM. Artigue and Gansfort each +have a small dwelling here. The house, built in the European manner, +which is there seen, serves to hold the soldiers, and to accommodate the +officers of Senegal on their parties of pleasure.</p> + +<p>The island of Safal is situated to the east of Babaguey, and is +separated from it by an arm of the river. This was the asylum which we +chose in the end to withdraw from misery, as will be seen in the sequel.</p> + +<p>To the east of the island of Safal, is situated the large island of +Bokos, the fertility of which is very superior to the three preceding. +Here are seen large fields of millet, maize, cotton, and indigo, of the +best quality. The negroes have established large villages here, the +inhabitants of which live in happy ease.</p> + +<p>To the north of these islands, and to the east of Senegal, is the island +of Sor, where resides a kind of Black Prince, called by the French Jean +Bart. The general aspect of this island is arid, but there are places +susceptible of being made into large plantations. M. Valentin, merchant +at St Louis, has already planted several thousand feet of cotton, which +is in a thriving condition. But that island being very much exposed to +the incursions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> of the Moors of the Desert, it would perhaps be +imprudent to live in it.</p> + +<p>A multitude of other islands, formed by the encroachments of the river +upon the mainland, border on those of which I have already spoken, +several leagues distant to the north and east. They are principally +covered with marshes, which it would be difficult to drain. In these +islands grows the patriarch of vegetables described by the celebrated +Adanson, under the name of Baobab,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">10</a> the circumference of which is +often found to be above one hundred feet.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10" class="fnanchor">10</a> Vide <a href="#NOTE_C">Note C</a>.</p></div> + +<p>Several other islands, more or less extended than the preceding, rise +above the river near to St Louis, as far as Podor; the greater part of +which are not inhabited, although their soil is as fertile as those near +Senegal. This indifference of the negroes in cultivating these islands, +is explained by the influence which the Moors of the Desert of Sahara +are permitted to have over all the country bordering upon Senegal, the +inhabitants of which they carry off to sell to the slave merchants of +the island of St Louis. It is not to be doubted, that the abolition of +the slave trade, and the acquisition which the French have made in the +country of Dagama, will soon destroy the preponderance of the barbarians +of the Desert upon the banks of the Senegal; and that things being +placed on their former footing, the negroes established in the French +colonies will be permitted to enjoy in peace the fields which they have +planted.</p> + +<p>Among all the islands, Tolde, which is about two leagues in +circumference, seems to be the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>most convenient for a military and +agricultural station. The fertility of its soil, and its being situated +between the two principal points where the gum trade is carried on, +gives it the triple advantage of being able to maintain the garrison +which is placed upon it, of protecting the trade and navigation of the +river, and of preventing the Moors from driving away the negroes from +their peaceful habitations. Plantations have already been made in the +island of Tolde, of coffee, sugar-canes, indigo, and cotton, which have +perfectly succeeded. M. Richard, agricultural botanist to the +government, has placed there a general nursery for the French +establishments. Three leagues from the island of Tolde, farther up the +river, is the village of Dagama, situated upon the left bank of the +river, and at the extremity of the kingdom of Brak, or of Walo. In that +village, the French have already planted several batteries, where begin +their agricultural establishments, which end about six leagues from the +island of St Louis. A large portion of that ground has been given to the +French planters, who have planted cotton upon it of the best kind, which +promises to be a branch of lucrative commerce to France. Here is placed +the plantation of M. Boucaline, as being the largest and best +cultivated, the king having given him a premium of encouragement of +10,000 franks. A little distant from the plantation of Boucaline are the +grounds of the royal grant, covered with more than ten thousand feet of +cotton. This beautiful plantation, established by the care of M. Roger, +now governor of Senegal, is at present directed by M. Rougemont with a +zeal above all praise.</p> + +<p>Near to the village of Dagama, up the river, is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> the island of Morfil, +which is not less than fifty leagues from east to west, and about eight +or ten in breadth. The negroes of the republic of Peules cultivate great +quantities of millet, maize, indigo, cotton, and tobacco. The country of +the Peules negroes extends about one hundred and twenty leagues, by +thirty in breadth. It is a portion of the ancient empire of the negro +Wolofs, which, in former times, comprehended all the countries situated +between the rivers Senegal and Gambia. The country of the Peules is +watered by a branch of the Senegal, which they call Morfil; and, like +Lower Egypt, owes its extreme fertility to its annual overflowing. The +surprising abundance of their harvests, which are twice a year, makes it +considered as the granary of Senegal. Here are to be seen immense fields +finely cultivated, extensive forests producing the rarest and finest +kinds of trees, and a prodigious diversity of plants and shrubs fit for +dying and medicine.</p> + +<p>To the east of the Peules is the country of Galam,<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> or Kayaga, +situated two hundred leagues from the island of St Louis. The French +have an establishment in the village of Baquel. This country, from its +being a little elevated, enjoys at all times a temperature sufficiently +cool and healthful. Its soil is considered susceptible of every species +of cultivation: the mines of gold and silver, which border upon it, +promise one day to rival the richest in the possession of Spain in the +New World. This conjecture is sufficiently justified by the reports sent +to Europe by the agents of the African and Indian Companies, and +particularly by M. de <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>Buffon, who, in a MS. deposited in the archives +of the colonies, thus expresses himself:—"It is certain that there are +found in the sand of the rivers (in the country of Galam) various +precious stones, such as rubies, topazes, sapphires, and perhaps some +diamonds; and there are in the mountains veins of gold and silver." Two +productions, not less estimable perhaps than gold and silver, are +indigenous to this fine country, and increase in the most prodigious +manner there; viz. the Lotus, or bread-tree, of the ancients, spoken of +by Pliny, and the Shea, or butter-tree,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> of which the English +traveller Mungo Park has given a description.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11" class="fnanchor">11</a> Vide <a href="#NOTE_D">Note D</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12" class="fnanchor">12</a> Vide <a href="#NOTE_E">Note E</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">THE SICKNESS AND DEATH OF MADAME PICARD BREAK IN UPON THE +HAPPINESS OF THE FAMILY—M. PICARD TURNS HIS VIEWS TO +COMMERCE—BAD SUCCESS OF HIS ENTERPRISE—THE DISTRACTED AFFAIRS +OF THE COLONY DISGUST HIM—THE CULTIVATION OF THE ISLAND OF +SAFAL—SEVERAL MERCHANTS PROTEST AGAINST M. PICARD APPLYING +HIMSELF TO COMMERCE—DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION TO THE ISLAND OF +GALAM—M. PICARD IS DEPRIVED OF HIS EMPLOYMENT AS ATTORNEY—HIS +ELDEST DAUGHTER GOES TO LIVE IN THE ISLAND OF SAFAL WITH TWO OF +HER BROTHERS.</p> + + +<p>We were happy enough, at least content, at Senegal, until the sickness +of my stepmother broke in upon the repose we enjoyed. Towards the middle +of July 1817, she fell dangerously ill; all the symptoms of a malignant +fever appeared in her; and in spite of all the assistance of art and the +care we bestowed upon her, she died in the beginning of November of the +same year. Her loss plunged us all into the deepest affliction. My +father was inconsolable. From that melancholy pe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>riod, there was no +happiness for our unfortunate family: chagrin, sickness, enemies, all +seemed to conspire against us. A short while after her death my father +received a letter from the chemist at Paris, informing him that the +sample of potass which he had sent to France was nothing but marine +salt, and some particles of potass and saltpetre. This news, although +disagreeable, did not affect us, because we had still greater +misfortunes to deplore. About the end of the year, my father finding his +employment would scarcely enable him to support his numerous family, +turned his attention to commerce, hoping thus to do some good, as he +intended to send me to look after the family, and to take charge of the +new improvements in the island, which had become very dear to him from +the time he had deposited in it the mortal remains of his wife and his +youngest child. For the better success of his project, he went into +co-partnery with a certain personage in the colony; but instead of +benefiting his speculations, as he had flattered himself, it proved +nothing but loss. Besides he was cheated in an unworthy manner by the +people in whom he had placed his confidence; and as he was prohibited by +the French authorities from trafficking, he could not plead his own +defence, nor get an account of the merchandise of which they had +defrauded him. Some time after he had sustained this loss, he bought a +large boat, which he refitted at a considerable expense. He made the +purchase in the hope of being able to traffic with the Portuguese of the +island of Cape Verd, but in vain; the governor of the colony prohibited +him from all communication with these islands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<p>Such were the first misfortunes which we experienced at Senegal, and +which were only the precursors of still greater to come.</p> + +<p>Besides all these, my father had much trouble and vexation to endure in +the employment he followed. The bad state of the affairs of the colony, +the poverty of the greater part of its inhabitants, occasioned to him +all sorts of contradictions and disagreements. Debts were not paid, the +ready money sales did not go off; processes multiplied in a frightful +manner; every day creditors came to the office soliciting actions +against their debtors; in a word, he was in a state of perpetual torment +either with his own personal matters, or with those of others. However, +as he hoped soon to be at the head of the agricultural establishment +projected at Senegal, he supported his difficulties with great courage.</p> + +<p>In the expedition which was to have taken place in 1815, the Count +Trigant de Beaumont, whom the king had appointed governor of Senegal, +had promised my father to reinstate him in the rank of captain of +infantry, which he had held before the Revolution, and after that to +appoint him to the command of the counting-house of Galam, dependent +upon the government of Senegal. In 1816, my father again left Paris with +that hope, for the employment of attorney did not suit his disposition, +which was peaceable and honest. He had the first gift of the documents +concerning the countries where they were to found the agricultural +establishments in Africa, and had proposed plans which were accepted of +at the time by the President of the Council of State, and by the +Minister of Marine, for the colonization of Senegal; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> the +unfortunate events of 1815 having overturned every thing, another +governor was nominated for that colony in place of Count Trigant de +Beaumont. All his plans and proposed projects were instantly altered for +the purpose of giving them the appearance of novelty; and my father +found himself in a situation to apply these lines of Virgil to himself.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hos ego versiculos feci, tulit alter honores."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">These lines I made, another has the praise.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>At first the new governor (M. Schmaltz) was almost disposed to employ my +father in the direction of the Agricultural Establishment of Senegal; +but he allowed himself to be circumvented by certain people, to whom my +father had perhaps spoken too much truth. He thought no more of him, and +we were set up as a mark of every kind of obloquy.</p> + +<p>Finding then that he could no longer reckon upon the promises which had +been made to him on the subject of the plans which he had proposed for +the colony of Senegal, my father turned his attention to the island of +Safal, which seemed to promise a little fortune for himself and family. +He doubled the number of his labouring negroes, and appointed a black +overseer for superintending his work.</p> + +<p>In the beginning of 1818, we believed our cotton crop would make us +amends for the loss which we had sustained at various times. All our +plants were in the most thriving condition, and promised an abundant +harvest. We had also sown maize, millet, and some country beans, which +looked equally well.</p> + +<p>At this period, M. Schmaltz was recalled to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> France. M. Flauriau +succeeded him; but the nomination of the new governor did not alleviate +our condition. Every Sunday my father went to visit his plantation, and +to give directions for the labours of the week. He had built a large hut +for the overseer, upon the top of a little hill, which was almost +exactly in the centre of the island. It was at a little distance from +the small house which he had raised as a tomb, to receive the remains of +his wife and child, whom he had at first buried in a place to the south +of the cotton field. He surrounded the monument of his sorrow with a +kind of evergreen bean tree, which soon crept over the grave, and +entirely concealed it from the view. This little grove of verdure +attracted, by the freshness of its foliage, a multitude of birds, and +served them for a retreat. My father never left this place but he was +more tranquil, and less affected with his misfortunes.</p> + +<p>Towards the middle of April, seeing his plants had produced less cotton +than he expected, and that the hot winds and grasshoppers had made great +havock in his plantations, my father decided to leave upon it but one +old negro, for superintending the day-labourers, whom he had reduced to +four. In the mean time, we learned that some merchants, settled at +Senegal, had written to France against my father. They complained that +he had not employed sufficient severity against some unfortunate persons +who had not been able to pay their debts; and they exclaimed against +some miserable speculations which he had made in the country of Fouta +Toro, for procuring grain necessary for the support of his negroes.</p> + +<p>The expedition to Galam making preparations<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> for its departure,<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">13</a> my +father, in spite of the insinuations of some merchants of the colony, +was desirous also of trying his fortune. He associated himself with a +person who was to make the voyage; he bought European goods, and +refitted his boat, which again occasioned him loss. Towards the middle +of August 1818, the expedition set off. A month after its departure, my +cousin, whom the country had considerably affected, returned to France, +to our great regret. My sister and myself found ourselves the only +society to enable us to support our sorrows; however, as we hoped to +return to France in a few years, we overcame our disappointment. We had +already in some degree recovered our tranquillity, in spite of all our +misfortunes and the solitude in which we lived, when my father received +a letter from the governor of the colony, announcing to him, that, by +the decision of the Minister of Marine, a new attorney had come to +Senegal, and enjoining him at the same time to place the papers of the +office in the hands of his successor.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13" class="fnanchor">13</a> The voyage from Senegal to the country of Galam is made +but once a year, because it is necessary to take advantage of the +overflowing of the river, either in coming or going. The merchant boats +which are destined to make the voyage, look like a fleet, and depart in +the middle of August, under escort of a king's ship, commissioned to pay +the droits and customs to the Negro princes of the interior, with whom +that colony is connected.</p></div> + +<p>Such a circumstance could not fail to affect us much; for the few +resources we possessed made us anticipate an event almost as horrible as +the shipwreck, which exposed our family to all the horrors of want in +the boundless deserts of Sahara. My father, however, having nothing with +which <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>he could reproach himself, courageously supported this new +misfortune, hoping sooner or later to be able to unmask those who had +urged his ruin. He wrote a letter to his Excellency the Minister of +Marine, in which he detailed the affairs of the office of the colony, +the regularity of the accounts, the unfortunate condition to which his +numerous family were reduced by the loss of his employment, and +concluded with these words:—"Broken without being heard, at the end of +twenty-nine years of faithful service, but too proud to make me afraid +of a disgrace which cannot but be honourable to me, especially as it has +its source in those philanthropic principles which I manifested in the +abandoning of the raft of the Medusa, I resign myself in silence to my +destiny."</p> + +<p>This letter, full of energy, although a little too firm, failed not to +affect the feeling heart of the Minister of Marine, who wrote to the +governor of Senegal to give my father some employment in the +administration of the colony. But that order had either remained too +long in the office of the minister, or the governor of Senegal had +judged it proper not to communicate the good news to us, as we did not +hear of the order of the minister till after the death of my father, +nearly fifteen months after its date.</p> + +<p>When my father had rendered his accounts, and installed his successor +into the colony's office, he told me it would be quite necessary to +think of returning into his island of Safal, to cultivate it ourselves. +He persuaded me that our plantation suffered solely from the want of our +personal care, and that the happiness and tranquillity of a country life +would soon make us forget our enemies and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> our sufferings. It was then +decided that I should set off on the morrow, with two of my brothers, to +go and cultivate the cotton at the plantation. We took our little +shallop, and two negro sailors, and, by daybreak, were upon the river, +leaving at Senegal my father, my sister Caroline, and the youngest of +our brothers and sisters.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">MISS PICARD LIVES IN THE ISLAND OF SAFAL—HER MANNER OF +LIVING—SUFFERINGS SHE ENDURED—SHE GATHERS FLOWERS WHICH CONTAIN +A DELETERIOUS POISON—HER TWO BROTHERS FALL SICK—THEY ARE +CONVEYED TO SENEGAL—MISS PICARD OVERCOME WITH MELANCHOLY ALSO +FALLS SICK—STATE IN WHICH SHE IS FOUND—A NEGRO BOILS FOR HER AN +OLD VULTURE—RETURN OF MISS PICARD TO SENEGAL—HER +CONVALESCENCE—HER RETURN TO THE ISLAND OF SAFAL—M. PICARD GOES +THERE TO LIVE WITH ALL HIS FAMILY—DESCRIPTION OF THE FURNITURE +OF THE AFRICAN COTTAGE—COUNTRY LIFE—COMFORT OF THEIR +FIRESIDE—WALKS OF THE FAMILY—LITTLE PLEASURES WHICH THEY ENJOY.</p> + + +<p>For the space of two months I endured, as did my little brothers, the +beams of a burning sun, the irritations of insects and thorns, and the +want of that food to which we had been accustomed. I suffered during all +the day from a severe <span title="Transcriber's Note: "headach" changed to "headache"">headache</span>; but I collected from the ground which +belonged to us the cotton, on which were founded all our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> hopes. At +night my two young brothers and myself retired into the cottage, which +we used in the island; the working negroes brought the cotton we had +collected during the day; after which I set about preparing supper. The +children, accompanied by the old negro Etienne (the keeper of the +plantation), went and picked up some branches of dry wood. We lighted a +large fire in the middle of the hut, and I kneaded the cakes of millet +flour which were to be our supper, as well as what was to supply us next +day. My paste being prepared, I laid each cake upon the fire which the +children had lighted. Often, and especially when we were very hungry, I +placed them on a shovel of iron which I set upon the fire. This quick +mode of proceeding procured us millet-bread in less than half an hour; +but it must be confessed that this species of wafers or cakes, though +well enough prepared and baked, was far from having the taste of those +we eat at Paris. However, to make them more palatable, I added butter +when I had it, or we ate them with some sour milk. With the first dish +was served up at the same time the dessert, which stood in place of +dainties, of roast meat and salad; it generally consisted of boiled +beans, or roasted pistachio nuts. On festival days, being those when my +father came to see us, we forgot our bad fare in eating the sweet bread +he brought with him from Senegal.</p> + +<p>In the month of December 1818, having gone one morning with my brothers +to take a walk among the woods behind our cottage, I found a tree +covered with blossoms as white as snow, and which had a delicious smell. +We gathered a great quantity of them, which we carried home; but these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +flowers, as we afterwards found by sad experience, contained a +deleterious poison. Their strong and pungent odour caused violent pains +in the head, forerunners of a malignant fever, which brought us within +two steps of the grave. Two days after my young brothers were seized; +fortunately my father arrived on the following day, and removed them to +Senegal.</p> + +<p>Now then I was alone with my old negro Etienne in the island of Safal, +far from my family, isolated in the midst of a desert island, in which +the birds, the wolves, and the tigers, composed the sole population. I +gave free course to my tears and sorrows. The civilized world, said I to +myself, is far from me, an immense river separates me from my friends. +Alas! what comfort can I find in this frightful solitude? What can I do +upon this wretched earth? But although I had said I was unfortunate, was +I not necessary to my unhappy father? Had I not promised to assist him +in the education of his children, whom cruel death had deprived of their +mother? Yes! yes! I was too sensible my life was yet necessary. Engaged +in these melancholy reflections, I fell into a depression of mind which +it would be difficult to describe. Next morning the tumult of my +thoughts led me to the banks of the river, where the preceding evening I +had seen the canoe carry away my father and my young brothers. There I +fixed my humid eyes upon the expanse of water without seeing any thing +but a horrible immensity; then, as recovered from my sorrow, I turned to +the neighbouring fields to greet the flowers and plants which the sun +was just beginning to gild. They were my friends, my companions; they +alone<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> could yet alleviate my melancholy, and render my loneliness +supportable. At last the star of day arising above the horizon, +admonished me to resume my labours.</p> + +<p>Having returned to the cottage, I went to the harvest with Etienne. For +the space of two days, I continued at my accustomed occupation, but on +the morning of the third, on returning from the plantation to the house, +I felt myself suddenly seized with a violent pain in my head. As soon as +I reached home I lay down. On the morning I found myself unable to rise +out of bed; a burning fever had manifested itself during the night, and +even deprived me of the hope of being able to return to Senegal.</p> + +<p>I was incapable of doing any thing. The good Etienne, touched with my +condition, took his fowling-piece, and went into the neighbouring woods, +to endeavour to shoot me some game. An old vulture was the only produce +of the chase. He brought it to me, and, in spite of the repugnance I +expressed for that species of bird, he persisted in boiling some of it +for me. In about an hour afterwards, he presented me with a bowl of that +African broth; but I found it so bitter, I could not swallow it. I felt +myself getting worse, and every moment seemed to be the last of life. At +last, about noon, having collected all my remaining strength, I wrote to +my father the distressed state I was in; Etienne took the charge of +carrying my letter, and left me alone in the midst of our island. At +night I experienced a great increase of fever; my strength abandoned me +entirely; I was unable to shut the door of the house in which I lay. I +was far from my family;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> no human being dwelt in the island; no person +witnessed my sufferings; I fell into a state of utter unconsciousness, +and I knew not what I did during the remainder of the night. On the +following morning, having recovered from my insensibility, I heard some +person near me utter sorrowful cries; it was my good sister Caroline. I +opened my eyes, and, to my astonishment, found myself at Senegal, +surrounded by my afflicted family. I felt as if I had returned from the +other world. My father had set off on the instant he received my letter, +with Etienne to the island, and, finding me delirious, took me to +Senegal without my being conscious of it. Recovering by degrees from my +confusion, I was desirous of seeing my brothers, who had been attacked +the same way as myself. Our house looked like an hospital. Here a dying +child wished them to take away the monster he imagined he saw before his +bed; there another demanded something to drink, then, refusing to take +the medicines which were offered to him, filled the house with his +groans; at a distance my feeble voice was heard asking something to +quench the thirst which consumed me.</p> + +<p>However, the unremitting care we received, as well as the generous +medicine of M. Quincey, with the tender concern of my father and my +sister Caroline, soon placed us out of danger. I then understood that +the flowers I had had the imprudence to collect in the wood of Safal, +had been the principal cause of my illness, as well as that of my +brothers. In the meanwhile, my father built two new huts in the island, +with the intention of going and living there with all his family.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> But, +as his affairs kept him yet some days at Senegal, he was prevented from +returning to Safal with the children to continue the collecting of +cotton. On the morrow, we all three set off. When we had arrived upon +the Marigot, in the island of Babaguey, we hailed the keeper of our +island to come and take us over in his canoe. In the mean time I amused +myself in looking at our habitation, which seemed to be very much +embellished since my departure, as it had been augmented with two new +cottages. I discovered the country to be much greener since I last saw +it; in a word, all nature seemed smiling and beautiful. At last Etienne, +to whom we had been calling for a quarter of an hour, arrived with his +canoe, into which we stepped, and soon were again in the island of +Safal.</p> + +<p>Arrived at my cottage, I began to examine all the changes my father had +made during my illness. The small cottage situated to the west, I chose +as my sleeping apartment. It was well made with straw and reeds yet +green, and the window, whence was seen the cotton-field, was of the +greatest advantage to me. I began to clean the floor of our apartments, +which was nothing else than sand, among which were various roots and +blades of grass. After that I went to visit the little poultry yard, +where I found two ducks and some hens placed there a short while before. +I was very glad of these little arrangements; and returned to the +principal cottage to prepare breakfast. After this we betook ourselves +to the business of cotton gathering.</p> + +<p>Eight days had already elapsed since our return to the island of Safal, +when one morning we per<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>ceived our shallop upon the river, which we +always knew by a signal placed upon the mast-head. It was my father, who +brought twelve negroes with him, which he had hired at Senegal, for +assisting him in the cultivation of his island. The men were instantly +set to break up the soil; the women and children assisted us in +gathering cotton. My father then dismissed the negroes, who worked by +the day, as he had to come and go to Senegal, where the urgency of his +business yet required his presence.</p> + +<p>I remained a long while without seeing him; but, at the end of eight +days, I was agreeably surprised at finding our boat in the little bay of +Babaguey. I ran with the family negroes to disembark our effects, and I +soon had the pleasure of holding my sister Caroline in my arms. My +father came on shore afterwards with the youngest children, and all the +family found themselves united under the roof of the African Cottage, in +the island of Safal. "You see, my child," said my father to me on +entering our huts, "you see all our riches! we have neither moveables +nor house at Senegal; every thing we can claim as our own is here." I +embraced my father, and my brothers and sisters, and then went to unload +our boat. Our house was soon filled. It served at once for a cellar, +granary, store-house, a parlour, and bed-chamber. However, we found a +place for every thing. Next day we began to fit them up more +commodiously. My sister and myself lived in the small house to the west; +my father took up his residence in that towards the east; and the large +hut in the centre was the place where the children slept. Round about +the last we sus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>pended some boards by cords, to hold our dishes and +various kitchen utensils. A table, two benches, some chairs, a large +couch, some old barrels, a mill to grind the cotton, implements of +husbandry, constituted the furniture of that cottage. Nevertheless, in +spite of its humbleness, the sun came and gilded our roofs of straw and +reeds. My father fitted up his cottage as a study. Here were boards +suspended by small cords, upon which his books and papers were arranged +with the greatest order;—there a fir board, supported by four feet, +driven into the ground, served as a desk; at a distance stood his gun, +his pistols, his sword, his clarionet, and some mathematical +instruments. A chair, a small couch, a pitcher, and a cup, formed his +little furniture.</p> + +<p>Our cottage was situated on the top of a little hill of gentle ascent. +Forests of mangrove-trees, gum-trees, tamarind-trees, sheltered us on +the west, the north, and the east. To the south was situated the +plantation which we called South-field. This field was already covered +with about three hundred thousand feet of cotton, a third of which had +nearly begun to be productive. Upon the banks of the river, and to the +west of the cotton field, was situated our garden; finally, to the south +of the plain, were our fields of maize, beans, and millet.</p> + +<p>Our little republic, to which my father gave laws, was governed in the +following manner:—We usually rose about day-break, and met altogether +in the large cottage. After having embraced our father, we fell upon our +knees to return thanks to the Supreme Being for the gift of ano<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>ther +day. That finished, my father led the negroes to their work, during +which my sister and myself arranged the family affairs, and prepared +breakfast, when, about eight o'clock, he returned to the cottage. +Breakfast being over, each took his little bag, and went and gathered +cotton. About noon, as the heat became insupportable, all returned to +the cottage, and worked at different employments. I was principally +charged with the education of my young brothers and sisters, and the +young negroes of the family. Round my little hut were suspended various +pictures for study, upon which I taught them to read according to the +method of mutual assistance. A bed of sand, smoothed upon a small bench, +served the younger ones to trace and understand the letters of the +alphabet: the others wrote upon slates. We bestowed nearly two hours +upon each exercise, and then my scholars amused themselves at different +games. At three o'clock, all returned to the cotton field, and remained +till five. Dinner, which we usually had at six, was followed by a little +family conversation, in which the children were interrogated concerning +what they had been taught during the day. When I was well pleased with +them, I promised them a story, or a fable, in the evening. Sometimes +after dinner, we went to take a short walk on the banks of the river; +then returned to the cottage, where Etienne had had the care of lighting +a large fire, the heat of which forced the musquitoes and gnats to yield +their place to the little circle which our family made round the hearth. +Then my sister Caroline and myself related some fables to the children, +or read them a lesson from the Evangelists or the Bible;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> whilst my +father smoked his pipe, amusing himself by contemplating all his family +around him. The hour of going to bed being arrived, we made a common +prayer, after which all retired to their separate huts to sleep.</p> + +<p>Thus did our days glide away amid the occupations of the fields and the +recreations of the family. On Sundays, our labours were suspended. +Sometimes to spend the day more agreeably, and avoid the molestations of +the hunters, who often came to our island, we went to the island of +Bokos, situated to the east of Safal. On reaching it, we seated +ourselves under a large baobab, which was more than thirty feet in +circumference. After having finished our humble repast under the umbrage +of that wonderful tree, my father would go and amuse himself with the +chase; my sister Caroline and myself went to search for rare plants, to +assist our studies in botany; whilst the children hunted butterflies and +other insects. Charles, the eldest of the boys, swam like a fish; and, +when my father shot a duck or <i>aigrette</i> upon the water, he would +instantly throw himself in, and fetch the game. At other times he would +climb to the top of the trees to rob the birds, or bury himself in the +midst of bushes to gather the fruits of the country, then ran, all +breathless and delighted, to present us with his discovery. We would +remain in the island till nearly four in the afternoon, then return to +our boat, and our negroes rowed us to our island.</p> + +<p>During the time of the greatest heats, for we could not long endure the +rays of the sun, we passed a part of the Sunday under a very bushy +tamarind-tree, which stood at a little distance from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> our cottage. Thus, +in the good old times, did the lords, barons, and marquises gather +themselves under the old elms of the village, to discuss the concerns of +their vassals; in like manner did my father collect us under the +tamarind-tree to regulate the affairs of his republic, and also to enjoy +the landscapes which our island afforded. We sometimes took our meals +there, and on those occasions the ground served us at once for table, +table-cloth, and seat. The children gamboled on the grass, and played a +thousand tricks to amuse us. We now began to discover that every +condition of life had its own peculiar enjoyments. If the labours of the +week seemed long and laborious, the Sabbath recompensed us by our +country recreations. We lived thus for some time in the greatest +tranquillity. Shut up in a desert island, from all society, we ventured +to think we had discovered the condition of real happiness.</p> + +<p>Every Wednesday we sent two negroes to the village of Gandiolle, to +purchase provisions, such as butter, milk, eggs, &c. One day, however, +my father resolved to purchase a cow and thirty fowls, that we might +have in our island all the little necessaries used by a family. Our +poultry yard being thus augmented, we looked upon ourselves as great as +the richest princes in Africa; and in truth, since we had a cottage, +milk, butter, eggs, maize, millet, cotton, tranquillity and health, what +more was necessary for our comfort?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">FRESH MISFORTUNES—DESERTION OF THE WORKING NEGROES—RETURN OF M. +SCHMALTZ TO SENEGAL—HOPE DESTROYED—GOVERNOR SCHMALTZ REFUSES +ALL KIND OF ASSISTANCE TO THE PICARD FAMILY—TIGERS DEVOUR THE +HOUSEHOLD DOG—TERROR OF MISS PICARD—BAD HARVEST—CRUEL PROSPECT +OF THE FAMILY—INCREASE OF MISFORTUNES—SOME GENEROUS PERSONS +OFFER ASSISTANCE TO M. PICARD.</p> + + +<p>Whilst we were thus enjoying in peace our little good fortune, my father +received a letter, desiring him to return to Senegal in all possible +speed. He went, and left me at the head of our establishment, but a +great misfortune happened, which we could not prevent;—six of our +labouring negroes, whom he had hired, deserted during the night, and +took our small boat with them. I was extremely distressed, and instantly +made Etienne swim the river, and go and beg of the President at Babaguey +to take him to my father, who was still at Senegal, to tell him the +melancholy news. That good negro was soon on the other side of the +water, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> went to M. Lerouge (the name of the president), who gave him +his canoe. At night, we saw him returning without my father, who went +into the country to search for the fugitive negroes. He spent three +whole days in the countries of Gandiolle and Touby, which lie in the +neighbourhood of our island, but all his labour was in vain. The +deserting negroes had already gained the forests of the interior; and my +father, exhausted with fatigue, returned to Safal. I confess, though I +was deeply distressed at the desertion of these slaves, who were so +necessary to us for realizing our agricultural projects, my heart could +not blame these unfortunate creatures, who only sought to recover that +freedom from which they had been torn.</p> + +<p>At this date, that is about the 1st of March 1819, we learned that M. +Schmaltz had returned from France, and was in the Bay of St Louis; and +that the Minister of Marine had approved of all the projects relative to +the agricultural establishment at Senegal. This news revived my father's +hopes. As this establishment had been originally proposed by him, he +flattered himself they would do him justice in the end. In this +expectation, he went to meet with governor Schmaltz, who had to pass our +house on the morrow; but he would not speak with him. On the following +day, my father wrote to him from the hotel at St Louis; four days after +which, we were assured that the governor was very far from wishing us +well, and still farther from doing justice to my father. However, some +of his friends encouraged him to make fresh endeavours, and persuaded +him he would obtain a premium of encouragement for having first set the +example of cultivating cotton at Sene<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>gal; they assured him also that +funds had been sent to M. Schmaltz for that purpose. Vain hope! every +claim was rejected, we had not even the satisfaction of knowing whether +the premium which my father sought was due to him or not; we got no +reply. My father wishing to make a last attempt to ward off the misery +which menaced us, went to supplicate the governor to allow us either +money to purchase food, or rations. This last petition was not more +successful than the former. We were abandoned to our unhappy fate, +whilst more than twenty persons, who had never done any service to the +government, received gratis rations every day from the magazines of the +colony. "Very well!" said my father to me, when he found he was refused +that assistance which M. Schmaltz had ordered to the other unfortunate +persons in the colony, "let the governor be happy if he can, I will not +envy his felicity. Behold, my child, behold this roof of thatch which +covers us; see these hurdles of reeds which moulder into dust, this bed +of rashes, my body already impaired by years, and my children weeping +around me for bread! You see a perfect picture of poverty! Nevertheless, +there are yet beings upon the earth more unfortunate than we +are!"—<span title="Transcriber's Note: Quotation mark added before "Alas!"">"Alas</span>!" said I to him, "our misery is great; but I can support +it, and even greater, without complaining, if I saw you exposed to less +harassing cares. All your children are young, and of a good +constitution; we can endure misfortune, and even habituate ourselves to +it; but we have cause to fear that the want of wholesome and sufficient +food will make you fall, and then we shall be deprived of the only stay +we have upon earth."—"O!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> my dear child," cried my father, "you have +penetrated into the secrets of my soul, you know all my fears, and I +will no longer endeavour to conceal the sorrow which has weighed for a +long time upon my heart. However, my death may perhaps be a blessing to +my family; my bitter enemies will then doubtless cease to persecute +you."—"My father," replied I, "break not my heart; how can you, +forgetting your children, their tender affection, the assistance which +you ought to give them, and which they have a right to expect from you, +wish us to believe your death will be a benefit to us?" He was moved +with these words, and his tears flowed in abundance; then, pressing me +to his bosom, he cried, "No, no, my dear children, I will not die, but +will live to procure for you an existence more comfortable than that you +have experienced since we came to Senegal. From this moment I break +every tie which binds me to the government of this colony; I will go and +procure for you a new abode in the interior of the country of the +negroes; yes, my dear children, we will find more humanity among the +savage hordes that live in our neighbourhood, than among the greater +part of those Europeans who compose the administration of the colony." +In fact, some time after, my father obtained from the negro prince of +the province of Cayor, a grant on his estates, and we were to take +possession of it after the rainy season; but Heaven had decided +otherwise.</p> + +<p>From this time, my father, always indignant at the manner in which the +governor had acted towards us, resolved to retire altogether to his +island, and to have as little intercourse with the Europeans of the +colony as he could. Nevertheless, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> received with pleasure the friends +who from time to time came to visit us, and who sometimes carried him to +St Louis, where they disputed among themselves the pleasure of +entertaining him, and of making him forget his misfortunes by the +favours which they heaped upon him; but the mortifications he had +experienced in that town made him always impatient till he returned to +his island. One day as he returned from Senegal, after having spent two +days at the house of his friends, they lent him a negro mason to build +an oven for us; for till then we had always baked our bread upon the +embers. With this oven we were no longer obliged to eat our millet-bread +with the cinders which so plenteously stuck to it.</p> + +<p>One morning, as he was preparing to take the negroes to their labour, he +perceived his dog did not follow him as usual. He called, but in vain. +Then he thought his faithful companion had crossed the river to +Babaguey, as he used to do sometimes. Arrived at the cotton-field, my +father remarked large foot-prints upon the sand, which seemed to be +those of a tiger, and beside them several drops of blood, and doubted +not that his poor Sultan had been devoured. He immediately returned to +the cottage to acquaint us with the fate of his dog, which we greatly +regretted. From that day the children were prohibited from going any +distance from home; my sister and myself durst no more walk among the +woods as we used to do.</p> + +<p>Four days after the loss of the faithful Sultan, as we were going to +bed, we heard behind our cottage mewings like those of a cat, but much +louder. My father instantly rose, and, in spite of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> our entreaties and +fears, went out armed with his sword and gun, in the hope of meeting +with the animal whose frightful cries had filled us with dread; but the +ferocious beast, having heard a noise near the little hill where it was, +made a leap over his head, and disappeared in the woods. He returned, a +little frightened at the boldness and agility of the creature, and gave +up the pursuit till the following night. On the evening of the following +day, he caused some negroes to come from the island of Babaguey, whom he +joined with his own, and putting himself at their head, he thought he +would soon return with the skin of the tiger. But the carnivorous animal +did not appear during all that night; he contented himself with uttering +dismal howlings in the midst of the woods. My father being called to +Senegal by some of his friends, left us on the morrow. Before going, he +strictly enjoined us to keep fast the doors of the house, and to secure +ourselves against ferocious beasts. At night we barricadoed every avenue +to our cottage, and shut up the dog with us, which a friend of my father +had brought to him from the town to supply the place of that which we +had lost. But my sister and myself were but ill at ease; for our huts +being already decayed, we were afraid the tiger would get in, and devour +the successor of poor Sultan. However, Etienne came and quieted our +fears a little, by saying he would make the round of the huts during the +night. We then lay down, having left our lamp burning. Towards the +middle of the night, I was awoke by a hollow noise which issued from the +extremity of our large chamber. I listened attentively; and the noise +increasing, I heard our dog growling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> and also a kind of roaring like +that of a lion. Seized with the greatest terror, I awoke my sister +Caroline, who, as well as myself, thought a ferocious beast had got into +the cottage. In an instant our dog raised the most terrible barking; the +other animal replied by a hollow, but hideous growl. All this uproar +passed in my father's chamber. Our minds were paralyzed; the children +awoke, and came and precipitated themselves into our arms; but none +durst call Etienne to our assistance. At last my sister and myself +decided we should go and see what occasioned all this noise. Caroline +took the lamp in one hand, and a stick in the other, and I armed myself +with a long lance. Arrived at the middle of the large cottage, we +discovered at the end of my father's study our dog, who had seized a +large animal covered with yellowish hair. The fears which perplexed us +left us no doubt but that it was either a lion or at least a tiger. We +durst neither advance nor retreat, and our weapons fell from our hands. +In a moment these two furious creatures darted into the hut where we +were; the air was rent with their cries; our legs bent under us; we fell +upon the floor in a faint; the lamp was extinguished, and we believed we +were devoured. Etienne at length awoke, knocked at the door, then burst +it open, ran up to us, lighted the lamp, and showed us our mistake. The +supposed lion was nothing else than a large dog from the island of +Babaguey, fighting with ours. Etienne separated them with a stick; and +the furious animal, which had frightened us so much, escaped through the +same hole by which he had entered our house. We stopped up the opening +and retired to bed, but were not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> able to sleep. My father having +arrived next morning from Senegal, we recounted to him the fright we had +during the night, and he instantly set about repairing the walls of our +cottage.</p> + +<p>It was now the beginning of May; our cotton harvest was completely +finished, but it was not so productive as we had hoped. The rains had +not been abundant the preceding year, which caused the deficiency in our +crop. We now became more economical than ever, to be able to pass the +bad season which had set in. We now lived entirely on the food of the +negroes; we also put on clothing more suitable to our situation than +that we had hitherto worn. A piece of coarse cotton, wrought by the +negroes, served to make us dresses, and clothes for the children; my +father was habited in coarse blue silk. On purpose to ameliorate our +condition, he sent on Sundays to Senegal a negro to purchase two or +three loaves of white bread. It was, in our melancholy condition, the +finest repast we could procure.</p> + +<p>One Sunday evening, as all the family were seated round a large fire +eating some small loaves which had been brought from Senegal, a negro +from the main land gave my father a letter; it was from M. Renaud, +Surgeon-Major at Bakal in Galam, announcing to us, to complete the sum +of our misfortunes, that the merchandize he had sent to Galam the +preceding year had been entirely consumed by fire. "Now," cried my +unhappy father, "my ruin is complete! Nothing more wretched can touch +us. You see, my dear children, that Fortune has not ceased persecuting +us. We have nothing more to expect from her, since the only resource +which remained has been destroyed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> + +<p>This new misfortune, which we little expected, plunged all our family in +the deepest distress. "What misfortunes! what mortifications!" cried I; +"it is time to quit this land of wretchedness! Leave it then, return to +France; there only we will be able to forget all our misfortunes. And +you, cruel enemies of my father, whom we have to reproach for all the +misery we have experienced in these lands, may you, in punishment for +all the evil you have done us, be tortured with the keenest remorse!"</p> + +<p>It cost all the philosophy of my father to quiet our minds after the +fatal event. He comforted us by saying, that Heaven alone was just, and +that it was our duty to rely upon it. Some days after, our friends from +Senegal came to pay us a visit, and testified for us the greatest +sorrow. They agreed among themselves to engage all the Europeans in the +colony in a voluntary subscription in our behalf; but my father opposed +it by saying, he could not receive assistance from those who were so +truly his friends. The generous M. Dard, director of the French school, +was not the last nor least who took an interest in us. As soon as he +heard of the unfortunate news, he cordially offered my father all the +money he had, and even endeavoured to get provisions for us from the +government stores, but he failed. After the visit of my father's +friends, we were not so unhappy, and yet enjoyed some tranquillity in +our humble cottage. He bought a barrel of wine, and two of flour, to +support us during the rainy season or winter, a period so fatal to +Europeans who inhabit the torrid zone.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">THE PICARD FAMILY, TORMENTED BY THE MUSQUITOES, THE SERPENTS, AND +TIGERS, DETERMINE TO REMOVE THEIR COTTAGE TO THE BANKS OF THE +RIVER—THE POULTRY IS DISCOVERED BY THE WILD BEASTS—MISERABLE +EXISTENCE OF THAT FAMILY—HUMILIATIONS WHICH IT SUFFERED—THEIR +COTTAGE IS OVERTURNED BY A TEMPEST—THE LABOURING NEGROES FORM A +SCHEME TO DESERT.</p> + + +<p>It was yet but about the beginning of June 1819, and already the humid +winds of the south announced the approach of the bad season, or winter. +The whirlwinds of the north no longer brought the hot sands of the +Desert; but instead of them came the south-east, bringing clouds of +locusts, musquitoes, and gnats. We could no longer spend our twilights +at the cottage, it was so filled with these insects. We fled every +morning to escape their stings, and did not return home till overcome +with sleep. One night, on entering the hut, after a long day's work at +the cotton-field, we perceived an animal stealing among the bushes at a +soft slow pace; but having heard us, it leaped a very high hedge, and +disappeared. From its agility,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> we discovered it to be a tiger-cat, +which had been prowling about our poultry-yard, in the hope of catching +some chickens, of which these animals are very fond. The same night, my +sister and myself were awoke with a hollow noise which we heard near our +bed. Our thoughts instantly returned to the tiger-cat; we believed that +it was it we heard, and, springing up, we awoke my father. Being all +three armed, we began by looking under my bed, as the noise seemed to +proceed from the bottom of a large hole, deep under ground. We were then +convinced it was caused by a serpent, but found it impossible to get at +it. The song of this reptile so frightened us that we could sleep no +longer; however, we soon became accustomed to its invisible music, for +at short intervals we heard it all the night. Some time after the +discovery of the den of this reptile songster, my sister, going to feed +five or six pigeons which she had in a little hut, perceived a large +serpent, who seemed to have a wing on each side of his mouth. She +instantly called my father, who quickly ran to her with his gun, but the +wings which the creature seemed to have, had already disappeared. As his +belly was prodigiously swelled, my father made the negroes open it, and, +to our great surprise, found four of the pigeons of our dove-cote. The +serpent was nearly nine feet in length, and about nine inches in +circumference in the middle. After it was skinned, we gave it to the +negroes, who regaled themselves upon it. This was not the one, however, +which we had heard during the night, for in the evening on which it was +killed, we heard the whistlings of its companions. We then resolved to +look for a more comfortable place to plant our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> cottage, and to abandon +the rising ground to the serpents, and the woods to the tigers. We chose +a spot on the south side of our island, pretty near to the banks of the +river.</p> + +<p>When this new ground was prepared, my father surrounded it with a hurdle +of reeds, and then transported our cottage thither. This manner of +removing from one place to another is very expeditious; in less than +three days we were fairly seated in our new abode. However, as we had +not time to carry away our poultry, we left them upon the hill till the +place we had appropriated for them was completed. It was fenced on all +sides, and covered with a large net, to prevent the birds of prey taking +away our little chickens, and we had no fear in leaving them during the +night. On the evening of the next day, my sister, accompanied with the +children, went to feed the various inhabitants of the poultry-yard; but +on approaching it she saw the frame of reeds half fallen, the net rent, +and feathers scattered here and there upon the road. Having reached the +site of our former cottage, heaps of worried ducks and chickens were the +only objects which presented themselves. She instantly sent one of the +children to acquaint us with the disaster, and my father and myself +hastened to the scene of carnage, but it was too late to take any +precautions,—all our poultry were destroyed! Two hens and a duck only +had escaped the massacre, by having squatted in the bottom of an old +barrel. We counted the dead which were left in the yard, and found that +the ferocious beasts had eat the half; about two hundred eggs of ducks +and hens, nearly hatched, were destroyed at the same time.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + +<p>This was a great loss to us, especially as we counted as much upon our +poultry-yard as upon our plantation. We were obliged to resign ourselves +to our fate; for to what purpose would sorrow serve? The evil was done, +and it only remained for us to guard against the recurrence of a like +misfortune. The poultry-yard was instantly transported to our new +habitation, and we took care to surround it with thorns, to keep off the +wolves, the foxes, and the tigers. Our two hens and the duck were placed +in it till we could purchase others.</p> + +<p>Our new cottage was, as I have already said, situated on the banks of +the river. A small wood of mangrove trees and acacias grew to the left, +presenting a scene sufficiently agreeable. But the marshy wood sent +forth such clouds of musquitoes, that, from the first day, we were so +persecuted, as scarcely to be able to inhabit our cottage during the +night. We were forced to betake ourselves to our canoe, and sail up and +down the river; but we were not more sheltered from the stings of the +insects than upon land. Sometimes, after a long course, we would return +to the hut, where, in spite of the heat, we would envelop ourselves in +thick woollen blankets, to pass the night; then, after being half +suffocated, we would fill the house full of smoke, or go and plunge +ourselves in the river.</p> + +<p>I am bold to say, we were the most miserable creatures that ever existed +on the face of the earth. The thought of passing all the bad season in +this state of torture, made us regret a hundred times we had not +perished in the shipwreck.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> How, thought I, how is it possible to endure +the want of sleep, the stings of myriads of insects, the putrid +exhalations of marshes, the heat of the climate, the smoke of our huts, +the chagrin which consumes us, and the want of the most necessary +articles of life, without being overcome! My father, however, to prevent +us seeing the melancholy which weighed upon him, assumed a serene air, +when his soul was a prey to the most horrible anguish; but through this +pretended placidity it was easy to see the various sentiments by which +his heart was affected. Often would that good man say to us, "My +children, I am not unhappy, but I suffer to see you buried in the +deserts. If I could gather a sufficient fund to convey you to France, I +would at least have the satisfaction of thinking you there enjoyed life, +and that your youth did not pass in these solitudes far from human +society."—"How, my father," replied I to him, "how can you think we +could be happy in France, when we knew you were in misery in Africa! O, +afflict us not. You know, and we have said so a hundred times, that our +sole desire is to remain near you, to assist you to bring up our young +brothers and sisters, and to endeavour by our care to make them worthy +of all your tenderness." The good man would then fold us in his arms; +and the tears which trickled down his cheeks, for a while soothed his +sufferings.</p> + +<p>Often, to divert our thoughts from the misery we endured, would we read +some of the works of our best authors. My father was usually on these +occasions the reader, whilst Caroline and myself listened. Sometimes we +would amuse ourselves with shooting the bow, and chasing the wild ducks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +and fowls which went about our house. In this manner we endeavoured to +dissipate in part our ennui during the day. As our cottage was situated +close to the banks of the river, we amused ourselves in fishing, whilst +the heat and the musquitoes would permit us. Caroline and our young +brothers were chiefly charged with fishing for crabs, and they always +caught sufficient to afford supper to all the family. But sometimes we +had to forego this evening's repast, for the musquitoes at that hour +were in such prodigious numbers, that it was impossible to remain more +than an instant in one place, unless we were enveloped in our coverings +of wool. But the children not having so much sense, would not allow +themselves to be thus suffocated; they could not rest in any place, and +every instant their doleful groans forced our tears of pity. O cruel +remembrance! thou makest me yet weep as I write these lines.</p> + +<p>Towards the beginning of July, the rains showed us it was seed time. We +began by sowing the cotton, then the fields of millet, maize, and beans. +Early in the morning, the family went to work; some digged, others +sowed, till the fierceness of the sun forced us to retire to the +cottage, where we expected a plate of kouskous, of fish, and a little +rest. At three o'clock, we all returned to the fields, and did not leave +off working till the approach of night; then we all went home, and each +occupied himself in fishing or hunting. Whilst we were thus busied in +providing our supper, and provisions for the morrow, we sometimes would +receive a visit from the sportsmen who were returning to Senegal. Some +would feel for our misery, but many made us weep with their vulgar +af<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>fronts. On these occasions, Caroline and myself would fly from these +disgusting beings as from the wild beasts who prowled about us. +Sometimes, to make us forget the insults and mortifications we +experienced from the negro merchants who live at Senegal, and whom +curiosity brought to our island, my father would say to us, "Wherefore, +my dears, are you distressed with the impertinences of these beings? +Only think that, in spite of your wretchedness, you are a hundred times +better than them, who are nothing more than vile traffickers in human +flesh, sons of soldiers, without manners, rich sailors, or freebooters, +without education and without country."</p> + +<p>One day, a French negro merchant, whom I will not name, having crossed +the Senegal to the station of Babaguey, and seeing our cottage in the +distance, inquired to whom it belonged. He was told it was the father of +a family whom misfortune had forced to seek a refuge in that island. I +wish I could see them, said the merchant, it will be very <i>drôle</i>. In +fact, a short while after, we had a visit from this <i>curieux</i>, who, +after he had said all manner of impertinences to us, went to hunt in our +plantation, where he killed the only duck which we had left, and which +he had the audacity to carry away in spite of our entreaties. +Fortunately for the insolent thief, my father was absent, else he would +have avenged the death of the duck, which even the tigers had spared in +the massacre of our poultry-yard.</p> + +<p>Since the commencement of winter, we had had but little rain, when one +night we were roused by a loud peal of thunder. A horrible tempest swept +over us, and the hurricane bent the trees of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> the fields. The lightning +tore up the ground, the sound of the thunder redoubled, and torrents of +water were precipitated upon our cottage. The winds roared with the +utmost fury, our roofs were swept away, our huts were blown down, and +all the waters of heaven rushed in upon us. A flood penetrated our +habitation; all our family drenched, confounded, sought refuge under the +wrecks of our walls of straw and reeds. All our effects were floating, +and hurried off by the floods which surrounded us. The whole heavens +were in a blaze; the thunderbolt burst, fell, and burned the main-mast +of the French brig Nantaise, which was anchored at a little distance +from our island. After this horrible detonation, calm was insensibly +restored, whilst the hissing of serpents and howlings of the wild beasts +were the only sounds heard around us. The insects and reptiles, creeping +out of the earth, dispersed themselves through all the places of our +cottage which water had not covered. Large beetles went buzzing on all +sides, and attached themselves to our clothes, whilst the millepedes, +lizards, and crabs of an immense size, crawled over the wrecks of our +huts. At last, about ten o'clock, nature resumed her tranquillity, the +thunder ceased to be heard, the winds instantly fell, and the air +remained calm and dull.</p> + +<p>After the tempest had ceased, we endeavoured to mend our huts a little, +but we could not effect it; and were obliged to remain all day under the +wrecks of our cottage. Such, however, was the manner in which we spent +nearly all our days and nights. In reading this recital, the reader has +but a feeble idea of the privations, the sufferings, and the evils, to +which the unfortunate Picard family<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> were exposed during their stay in +the island of Safal.</p> + +<p>About this time, my father was obliged to go to Senegal. During his +absence, the children discovered that the negroes who remained with us +had formed a scheme of deserting during the night. Caroline and myself +were much embarrassed and undecided what course to pursue, to prevent +their escape; at last, having well considered the matter, we thought, as +Etienne would be in the plot, we had no other means of preventing their +escape but by each of us arming ourselves with a pistol, and thus +passing the night in watching them. We bound our canoe firmly with a +chain, and seated ourselves, the better to observe their motions. About +nine in the evening, the two negroes came to the banks of the river, but +having discovered us, they feigned to fish, really holding in their +hands a small line; but on coming nearer to them, I saw they had no +hooks. I desired them to go to bed, and return on the morrow to fish. +One of them came close to our canoe, and threw himself into it, thinking +he could instantly put off; but when he found it chained, he left it +quite ashamed, and went and lay down with his comrade. I set off to look +for Etienne, whom we suspected to have been in the plot, and told him of +the design of the two negroes, and prayed him to assist us in watching +them during the night. He instantly rose, and taking my father's gun, +bade us sleep in quiet, whilst he alone would be sufficient to overcome +them; however, they made no farther attempt that night, hoping, +doubtless, to be more fortunate another time. Next day I wrote to my +father, to return to Safal before night, for that we were on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> the eve of +losing the remainder of our negroes. He returned in the evening, +resolving never again to quit our cottage. He interrogated the negroes +concerning their design of desertion, and asked them what excuse they +had to plead. "We are comfortable here," replied one of them, "but we +<span title="Transcriber's Note: Single quote deleted before "are"">are</span> not in our native country; our parents and friends are far from us. +We have been deprived of our liberty, and we have made, and will make +still farther efforts, for its recovery." He added, addressing himself +to my father, "If thou, Picard, my master, wert arrested when +cultivating thy fields, and carried far, far from thy family, wouldst +thou not endeavour to rejoin them, and recover thy liberty?" My father +promptly replied, "I would!" <span title="Transcriber's Note: Quotation marks added around "Very well" deleted before "continued" added before "I am"">"Very well," continued Nakamou, "I am</span> in +the same situation as thyself, I am the father of a numerous family; I +have yet a mother, some uncles; I love my wife, my children; and dost +thou think it wonderful I should wish to rejoin them?" My unfortunate +father, melted to tears with this speech, resolved to send them to the +person from whom he had hired them, for fear he should lose them. If he +had thought like the colonists, he would have put them in irons, and +treated them like rebels; but he was too kind-hearted to resort to such +measures. Some days after, the person to whom the negroes were sent, +brought us two others; but they were so indolent, we found it impossible +to make them work.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">THE COLONY OF SENEGAL AT WAR WITH THE MOORS—THE PICARD FAMILY +OBLIGED TO ABANDON THE ISLAND OF SAFAL—THEY GO TO FIND A HOME AT +ST LOUIS—M. PICARD HIRES AN APARTMENT FOR HIS FAMILY, AND +RETURNS TO SAFAL WITH THE OLDEST OF HIS SONS—THE WHOLE +UNFORTUNATE FAMILY FALL SICK—RETURN OF M. PICARD TO +SENEGAL—DEATH OF YOUNG LAURA—HE WISHES TO RETURN TO HIS +ISLAND—THE CHILDREN OPPOSE IT—HE FALLS DANGEROUSLY ILL—THE +WORTHY PEOPLE OF THE COLONY ARE INDIGNANT AT THE GOVERNOR FOR THE +STATE OF MISERY IN WHICH HE HAS LEFT THE PICARD FAMILY.</p> + + +<p>We however continued sowing; and more than twenty-four thousand feet of +cotton had already been added to the plantation, when our labours were +stopped by war suddenly breaking out between the colony and the Moors. +We learned that a part of their troops were in the island of Bokos, +situated but a short distance from our own. It was said that the Arab +merchants and the Marabouts, (priests of the Musulmen), who usually +travel to Senegal on affairs of commerce, had been arrested by the +French soldiers. In the fear that the Moors would come to our island and +make us prisoners, we resolved to go to the head-quarters<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> of the +colony, and stay there till the war had ceased. My father caused all his +effects to be transported to the house of the resident at Babaguey, +after which we left our cottage and the island of Safal. Whilst Etienne +slowly rowed the canoe which contained our family, I ran my eye over the +places we were leaving, as if wishing them an eternal adieu. In +contemplating our poor cottage, which we had built with such difficulty, +I could not suppress my tears. All our plantations, thought I, will be +ravaged during our absence; our home will be burned; and we will lose in +an instant that which cost us two years of pain and fatigue. I was +diverted from these reflections by our canoe striking against the shore +of Babaguey. We landed there, and instantly set off to the residence of +M. Lerouge; but he was already at Senegal. We found his house filled +with soldiers, which the governor had sent to defend that position +against the Moors. My father then borrowed a little shallop to take us +to Senegal. Whilst the boat was preparing, we eat a morsel of +millet-bread I had had the precaution to make before we left Safal; at +last, at six in the evening, we embarked for St Louis, leaving our +negroes at Babaguey. My father promised to Etienne to go and rejoin him +to continue the work, if it was possible, as soon as we were in safety.</p> + +<p>It was very late before we reached Senegal. As we had no lodgings, a +friend of my father, (M. Thomas) admitted us, his worthy wife loading us +with kindness. During our stay in the island of Safal, my father had +made various trips to Senegal; but as my sister and myself had not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +quitted it for a long time, we found ourselves in another world. The +isolated manner in which we had lived, and the misfortunes we had +endured, contributed in no small degree to give us a savage and +embarrassed appearance. Caroline especially had become so timid, she +could not be persuaded to appear in company. It is true the nakedness to +which we were reduced, a good deal caused the repugnance we felt at +seeing company. Having no cap but our hair, no clothes but a half-worn +robe of coarse silk, without stockings and shoes, we felt very +distressed in appearing thus habited before a society among whom we had +formerly held a certain rank. The good lady Thomas seeing our +embarrassment, kindly dispensed with our appearance at table, as they +had strangers in the house. She caused supper to be brought to our +chamber, under the pretext that we were indisposed. In this manner we +escaped the curious and imprudent regards of various young people, who +had not yet been tutored by the hand of misfortune. We learned that we +were known at Senegal by different names, some calling us <i>The Hermits +of the Isle of Safal</i>, others <i>The Exiles in Africa</i>.</p> + +<p>On the morrow, my father hired an apartment in the house of one of his +old friends (M. Valentin.) After breakfast we thanked our hosts, and +went to our new lodging. It consisted of a large chamber, the windows of +which were under ground, filled with broken panes; thus, in the first +night, we had such a quantity of musquitoes, that we thought we were yet +in the island of Safal. On the following day, my father was desirous of +returning to his plantation. We in vain represented<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> to him the dangers +to which he exposed himself; nothing would divert him from his design. +He promised, however, to go to Safal only during the day, and to sleep +at the house of the resident at Babaguey. He told us that it was not the +war with the Moors alone which caused him to bring us to Senegal, but +also the state of suffering in which the whole family was. It is true +our strength was considerably diminished; the youngest of my brothers +had been for several days attacked with a strong fever; and we were all +slightly seized with the same disease. My father, taking our oldest +brother with him, left us for the isle of Safal, promising to come and +see us every Sunday. I went with him to the court-gate, conjuring him, +above all things, not to expose himself, and to take care of his health, +which was so precious to us. That worthy man embraced me, and bade me +fear nothing on that head, for he too well felt how necessary his life +was to his children, to expose it imprudently. "For my health," added +he, "I hope to preserve it long, unless Heaven has decided otherwise." +With these words he bid adieu, and went away; I returned to the house +and gave free vent to my tears. I know not what presentiment then seized +me, for I felt as if I had seen my father for the last time; and it was +only at the end of the third day, on receiving a letter written with his +own hand, that I could divest myself of these gloomy ideas. He told us +he was very well, and that all was quiet at Safal. On the same day I +wrote to inform him of the condition of our young brother, who was a +little better during the evening; I sent him at the same time some +loaves of new bread and three bottles of wine which a ge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>nerous person +had had the goodness to give us. On the following Sunday we sat waiting +his arrival, but a frightful tempest that raged during all the day, +deprived us of that pleasure; we, however, received accounts from him +every two days, which were always satisfactory.</p> + +<p>About the 1st of August 1819, the best friend of my father, M. Dard, +who, from the commencement of our misfortunes, had not withheld his +helping hand from us, came to announce his approaching departure for +France, and to bid us farewell. We congratulated him on the happiness of +leaving so melancholy a place as Senegal. After we had talked some time +about our unfortunate situation, and of the little hope we had of ever +getting out of it, that sensible man, feeling his tears beginning to +flow, took leave of us, promising to visit my father in passing +Babaguey. Some days after, our young sister became dangerously ill; the +fever attacked me also; and in less than forty-eight hours all our +family were seized with the same disease. Caroline, however, had still +sufficient strength to take care of us; and, but for her assistance, we +would all perhaps have become a prey to the malady which oppressed us. +That good sister durst not acquaint my father with the deplorable +condition in which we all were; but alas! she was soon obliged to tell +him the melancholy news. I know not what passed during two days after my +sister had written my father, having been seized with delirium. When the +fit had somewhat abated, and I had recovered my senses a little, I began +to recognise the people who were about me, and I saw my father weeping +near my bed. His presence revived the little strength I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> had still left. +I wished to speak, but my ideas were so confused that I could only +articulate a few unconnected words. I then learned, that after my father +was acquainted with our dangerous condition, he had hastened to Senegal +with my oldest brother, who also had been attacked. My father seemed to +be no better than we were; but to quiet our fears, he told us that he +attributed his indisposition to a cold he had caught from sleeping on a +bank of sand at Safal. We soon perceived that his disease was more of +the mind than of the body. I often observed him thoughtful, with a wild +and disquieted look. This good man, who had resisted with such courage +all his indignities and misfortunes, wept like a child at the sight of +his dying family.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the sickness increased every day in our family; my young +sister was worst. Dr Quincey saw her, and prescribed every remedy he +thought necessary to soothe her sufferings. During the middle of the +night she complained of a great pain in her abdomen, but, after taking +the medicine ordered her, she fell quiet, and we believed she was +asleep. Caroline, who watched us during the night in spite of her +weakness, took advantage of this supposed slumber to take a little +repose. A short while after, wishing to see if little Laura still slept, +she raised the quilt which covered her, and uttered a piercing shriek. I +awoke, and heard her say in a tremulous voice, Alas! Laura is dead. Our +weeping soon awoke our unhappy father. He rose, and, seeing the face of +the dead child, cried in wild despair: "It is then all over; my cruel +enemies have gained their victory! They have taken from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> me the bread +which I earned with the sweat of my brow to support my children; they +have sacrificed my family to their implacable hate; let them now come +and enjoy the fruit of their malice with a sight of the victim they have +immolated! let them come to satiate their fury with the scene of misery +in which they have plunged us! O cruel S——, thy barbarous heart cannot +be that of a Frenchman!" On uttering these words, he rushed out, and +seated himself under a gallery which was at the door of the house in +which we lived. He there remained a long while buried in profound +meditation, during which time we could not get him to utter one word. At +last, about six o'clock in the morning the physician came, and was +surprised on hearing of the death of Laura; then went to my father, who +seemed to be insensible to every thing around him, and inquired at him +concerning his health. "I am very well," replied he, "and I am going to +return to Safal; for I always find myself best there." The Doctor told +him his own condition, as well as that of his family, would not allow +him to leave Senegal; but he was inflexible. Seeing nothing would induce +him to remain at St Louis, I arose, weak as I was, and went to search +for a negro and a canoe to carry us to Safal. In the meanwhile a friend +of ours took the charge of burying the body of my sister; but my father +wished to inter it beside the others in his island, and determined to +take it thither along with us. Not to have, however, such a melancholy +sight before our eyes during our journey, I hired a second canoe to +carry the corpse of poor Laura; and attaching it to the one in which we +were, we took our young brothers in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> our arms and set off. Having +arrived opposite the house possessed by M. Thomas, my father felt +himself greatly indisposed. I profited by the circumstance, by getting +him to go to the house of his friend; hoping we would persuade him +against returning to Safal. He consented without difficulty; but we had +scarcely entered the house, when he was again taken very ill. We +instantly called a physician, who found in him the seeds of a most +malignant fever. We laid him down, and all the family wept around his +bed, whilst the canoe which carried the remains of our young sister +proceeded to Safal. M. Thomas undertook to procure us a house more +healthy than that we had quitted; but the condition of my father was +such, that he found it impossible to walk, and we had to put him in a +litter to take him to our new habitation. All the worthy people of +Senegal could not contain their indignation against governor S——, +whose inhuman conduct towards our family had been the principal cause of +all our misfortunes. They went to his house, and boldly told him it was +a shame for the Chief of the colony thus to allow an unfortunate family +entirely to perish. M. S——, either touched with these reproaches, or +at last being moved by more friendly feelings towards us, caused +provisions secretly to be sent to our house. We received them under the +persuasion they had been sent by some friend of my father; but having at +last learned they had come from the governor, my father bid me return +them to him. I did not know what to do, for a part of the provisions had +already been consumed; and, besides, the distressed condition to which +we were reduced, made me flatter myself with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> thought, that the +governor wished at last to make amends for the wrongs he had done us. +But alas! his assistance was too late; the fatal moment was fast +approaching when my father had to bend under the pressure of his +intolerable sufferings.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<p class="chapheader">M. DARD, WHOM CONTRARY WINDS HAD DETAINED TEN DAYS IN THE PORT OF +ST. LOUIS, COMES ON SHORE TO SEE M. PICARD—AGONY OF M. +PICARD—HIS LAST WORDS—HIS DEATH—DESPAIR OF HIS CHILDREN—M. +THOMAS KINDLY TAKES CHARGE OF PICARD'S FAMILY—THE ELDEST OF THE +LADIES GOES AND MOURNS OVER THE GRAVE OF HER FATHER—HER +RESIGNATION—M. DARD DISEMBARKS, AND ADOPTS THE WRECKS OF THE +PICARD FAMILY—M. DARD MARRIES MISS PICARD, AND AT LAST RETURNS +TO FRANCE.</p> + + +<p>The day after we had taken possession of our new abode, my father sent +me to the Isle of Babaguey, to bring back the things which were left at +the house of the Resident. As I found myself considerably better during +the last few days, I hired a canoe and went, leaving the sick to the +care of Caroline. I soon reached the place of my destination, and +finished my business. I was upon the point of returning to Senegal, when +a wish came into my head of seeing Safal. Having made two negroes take +me to the other side of the river, I walked along the side of the +plantation, then visited our cottage, which I found just as we had left +it. At last I bent my steps towards the tomb of my step-mother, in which +were deposited the re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>mains of my little sister. I seated myself under +the shrubs which shaded the place of their repose, and remained a long +while wrapt in the most melancholy reflections. All the misfortunes we +had experienced since our shipwreck, came across my mind, and I asked +myself, how I had been able to endure them? I thought that, at this +instant, a secret voice said to me, you will yet have greater to +deplore. Terrified by this melancholy presentiment, I strove to rise, +but my strength failing me, I fell on my knees upon the grave. After +having addressed my prayers to the Eternal, I felt a little more +tranquil; and, quitting this melancholy spot, old Etienne led me back to +Babaguey, where my canoe waited for me. The heat was excessive; however, +I endured it, rather than wait for the coolness of evening to return to +my father. On my arrival at St Louis, I found him in a violent passion +at a certain personage of the colony, who, without any regard to his +condition, had said the most humiliating things to him. This scene had +contributed, in no small degree, to aggravate his illness; for, on the +evening of the same day, the fever returned, and a horrible delirium +darkened all his faculties. We spent a terrible night, expecting every +moment to be his last. The following day found little change in his +condition, except a small glimmering of reason at intervals. In one of +these moments, when we hoped he would recover his health, M. Dard, whom +we thought already far from Senegal, entered our house. My father +instantly recognised him, and, making him sit near to his bed, took his +hand, and said, "My last hour is come; Heaven, to whose decrees I humbly +submit, will soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> remove me from this world; but one consolation +remains with me,—the thought you will not abandon my children. I +recommend to you my oldest daughter; you are dear to her, doubt not; +would she were your wife, and that you were to her, as you have always +been to me, a sincere friend!" On saying these words, he took my hands +and pressed them to his burning lips. Tears suffocated my voice, but I +pressed him tenderly in my arms; and as he saw I was extremely affected +with his situation, he quickly said to me, "My daughter, I have need of +rest." I instantly quitted him, and was joined by M. Dard, when we +retired to another room, where we found Caroline and the good Mad. +Thomas. This worthy friend seeing the deplorable condition to which we +were reduced, endeavoured to console us, and to give us hope, saying, +that having heard of my father's illness on board the brig Vigilant, in +which he had embarked at the port of St Louis, he had obtained leave to +come on shore, and to go and offer us some assistance; after which he +left us, promising to return on the morrow.</p> + +<p>Towards the middle of the night of the 15th August 1819, it struck me +that my father wished to speak with me. I drew near to him, and seeing +him pale and his eyes wild, I turned away my head to conceal the tears +which I could not suppress; but having perceived my distress, he said to +me in a mournful voice, "Why are you so much afflicted, my child? My +last hour approaches, I cannot escape it; then summon all the strength +of your soul to bear it with courage. My conscience is pure, I have +nothing with which to reproach myself; I will die in peace if you +promise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> to protect the children whom I will soon leave. Tell also to +feeling hearts the long train of uninterrupted misfortunes which have +assailed me; tell the abandoned condition in which we have lived; and +tell at last, that in dying, I forgave my enemies all the evils they had +made me as well as my family endure!" At these words I fell upon his +bed, and cried yes, dear father, I promise to do all you require of me. +I was yet speaking when Caroline entered the chamber, and throwing +herself upon his bed, tenderly embraced him, whilst he held me by the +hand. We gazed on one another in profound silence, which was only +interrupted by our sighs. During this heart-rending scene, my father +again said to me, "My good <span title="Transcriber's Note: "Charotte" changed to "Charlotte"">Charlotte</span>, I thank you for all the care you +have bestowed on me; I die, but I leave you to the protection of friends +who will not abandon you. Never forget the obligations you already owe +M. Dard. Heaven assist you. Farewell, I go before you to a better +world." These words, pronounced with difficulty, were the last he +uttered. He instantly became much convulsed. All the physicians of the +colony were called, but the medicines they prescribed produced no +effect. In this condition he remained more than six hours, during which +time we stood suspended between hope and despair. O horrible night! +night of sorrow and desolation! who can describe all which the +unfortunate family of Picard suffered during thy terrible reign! But the +fatal period approached; the physician who prescribed it went out; I +followed, and, still seeking for some illusion in the misfortune which +menaced us, I tremblingly interrogated him. The worthy man would not +dissemble; he took me by the hand and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> said, my dear lady, the moment is +arrived when you have need to arm yourself with courage; it is all over +with M. Picard; you must submit to the will of God. These words were a +thunderbolt to me. I instantly returned, bathed in tears; but alas! my +father was no more.</p> + +<p>Such an irreparable misfortune plunged us into a condition worse than +death. Without ceasing, I besought them to put a period to my deplorable +life. The friends about me used every endeavour to calm me, but my soul +was in the depth of affliction, and their consolations reached it not. +"O God!" cried I, "how is it possible thou canst yet let me live? Ought +not the misery I feel to make me follow my father to the grave?" It was +necessary to employ force to keep me from that plan of horror and +dismay. Madame Thomas took us to her house, whilst our friends prepared +the funeral of my unhappy father. I remained insensible for a long +while; and, when somewhat recovered, my first care was to pray the +people with whom we lived to carry the body of my father to the Isle of +Safal to be deposited, agreeably to his request, near the remains of his +wife. Our friends accompanied it. Some hours after the departure of the +funeral procession, Governor S——, doubtless reproaching himself with +the helpless condition in which we had been left for so long a time, +gave orders to take care of the remainder of our unfortunate family. He +himself came to the house of M. Thomas. His presence made such an +impression on me, that I swooned away. We did not, however, refuse the +assistance he offered us, convinced, as we were, that it was less to the +gover<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>nor of Senegal we were indebted than to the French government, +whose intentions he was only fulfilling.</p> + +<p>Several days passed before I could moderate my sorrow; but at last our +friends represented to me the duties I owed to the orphans who were left +with us, and to whom I had promised to hold the place of mother. Then +rousing myself from my lethargy, and recollecting the obligations I had +to fulfil, I bestowed all my affections on the innocent beings whom my +father had confided to me in his dying moments. Nevertheless I was not +at rest; the desire of seeing the place where reposed the mortal remains +of my worthy father tormented me. They wished to dissuade me; but when +they saw I had been frequently weeping in private, they no longer +withheld me. I went alone to Safal, leaving Caroline to take charge of +the children, two of whom were still in a dangerous condition. What +changes did I find at our cottage! The person from whom we had hired our +negroes had secretly removed them; rank weeds sprung up everywhere; the +cotton withered for want of cultivation; the fields of millet, maize, +and beans had been devoured by the herds of cattle from the colony; our +house was half plundered; the books and papers of my father taken away. +Old Etienne still remained; I found him cultivating cotton. As soon as +he saw me he drew near; and having inquired if he wished to remain at +the plantation, he replied, "I could stay here all my life; my good +master is no more, but he is still here; I wish to work for the support +of his children." I promised in my turn to take care of him during my +stay in Africa. At last I bent my steps towards my fa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>ther's grave. The +shrubs which surrounded it were covered with the most beautiful verdure; +their thorny branches hung over it as if to shield it from the rays of +the sun. The silence which reigned around this solitary place was only +interrupted by the songs of the birds, and the rustling of the foliage, +agitated by a faint breeze. At the sight of this sacred retreat, I +suddenly felt myself penetrated by a religious sentiment, and falling on +my knees upon the grass, and resting my head upon the humid stone, +remained a long while in deep meditation. Then starting up, I cried, +"Dear manes of the best of fathers! I come not hither to disturb your +repose; but I come to ask of Him who is omnipotent, resignation to his +august decrees. I come to promise also to the worthy author of my +existence, to give all my care to the orphans whom he has left on earth. +I also promise to make known to feeling hearts all the misfortunes he +experienced before being driven to the tomb." After a short prayer, I +arose and returned to the cottage. To consecrate a monument to the +memory of my father, I took two cocoa-nuts, which he had planted some +time previous to his death, and replanted them beside the grave; I then +gave my orders to Etienne, and returned to the family at Senegal.</p> + +<p>Next day M. Dard came to see us at the house of M. Thomas. This worthy +friend of my father, told us he would not abandon in Senegal the orphans +whom he had promised to assist. I come, added he, to return to the +governor the leave he had given me to pass six months in France, and I +charge myself with providing for all your wants till I can convey you +again to Paris. Such gener<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>ous devotion affected me to tears; I thanked +our worthy benefactor, and he went into Mad. Thomas's room. When he had +gone, Mad. Thomas took me aside, and said, that M. Dard's intention was +not only to adopt the wrecks of our family, but he wished also to offer +me his hand as soon as our grief had subsided. This confidence, I own, +displeased me not; for it was delightful for me to think that so +excellent a man, who had already given us such substantial assistance in +our distress, did not think himself degraded by uniting his fate with +that of a poor orphan. I recollected what my father had said to me +during one of our greatest misfortunes. "M. Dard," said that worthy man, +"is an estimable youth, whose attachment for us has never diminished in +spite of our wretchedness; and I am certain he prefers virtue in a wife +above all other riches."</p> + +<p>Some days after, our benefactor came to tell us he had disembarked all +his effects, and that he had resumed his functions as director of the +French school at Senegal. We talked a long while together concerning my +father's affairs, and he then left us. However, as one of my brothers +was very ill, he returned in the evening to see how he was. He found us +in tears; for the innocent creature had expired in my arms. M. Dard and +M. Thomas instantly buried him, for his body had already become putrid. +We took great care to conceal his death from his brother, who, having a +mind superior to his age, would doubtless have been greatly affected. +Nevertheless, on the following day, poor Charles inquired where his +brother Gustavus was; M. Dard, who was sitting near his bed, told him he +was at school; but he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> discovered the cheat, and cried, weeping, that he +wished a hat to go to school, and see if Gustavus was really living. M. +Dard had the kindness to go and purchase him one to quiet him, which, +when he saw, he was satisfied, and waited till the morrow to go and see +if his brother was at school. This young victim to misery dragged out +his melancholy existence during two months; and about the end of October +we had the misfortune of losing him also.</p> + +<p>This last blow plunged me into a gloomy melancholy. I was indifferent to +every thing. I had seen, in three months, nearly all my relations die. A +young orphan (Alphonso Fleury), our cousin, aged five years, to whom my +father was tutor, and whom he had always considered as his own child, my +sister Caroline, and myself, were all that remained of the unfortunate +Picard family, who, on setting out for Africa, consisted of nine. We, +too, had nearly followed our dear parents to the grave. Our friends, +however, by their great care and attention, got us by degrees to recover +our composure, and chased from our thoughts the cruel recollections +which afflicted us. We recovered our tranquillity, and dared at last to +cherish the hope of seeing more fortunate days. That hope was not +delusive. Our benefactor, M. Dard, since then having become my husband, +gathered together the wrecks of our wretched family, and has proved +himself worthy of being a father to us. My sister Caroline afterwards +married M. Richard, agricultural botanist, attached to the agricultural +establishment of the colony.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p><p>Leaving Senegal with my husband and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> young Alphonso Fleury, my +cousin, on board his Majesty's ship Ménagere, on the 18th November 1820, +we safely arrived at L'Orient on the 31st December following. A few days +after our landing, we went to Paris, where we remained two months. At +last we reached my husband's native place, at Bligny-sous-Beaune, in the +department of the Côte d'Or, where I have had the happiness of finding +new relations whose tender friendship consoles me in part for the loss +of those of whom cruel death deprived me in Africa.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="APPENDIX" id="APPENDIX"></a>APPENDIX.</h2> + + +<p>The following is the substance, abridged from MM. Corréard and Savigny, +of what took place on the Raft during thirteen days before the Sufferers +were taken up by the Argus Brig.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>After the boats had disappeared, the consternation became extreme. All +the horrors of thirst and famine passed before our imaginations; +besides, we had to contend with a treacherous element, which already +covered the half of our bodies. The deep stupor of the soldiers and +sailors instantly changed to despair. All saw their inevitable +destruction, and expressed by their moans the dark thoughts which +brooded in their minds. Our words were at first unavailing to quiet +their fears, which we participated with them, but which a greater +strength of mind enabled us to dissemble. At last, an unmoved +countenance, and our proffered consolations, quieted them by degrees, +but could not entirely dissipate the terror with which they were seized.</p> + +<p>When tranquillity was a little restored, we began to search about the +raft for the charts, the compass, and the anchor, which we presumed had +been placed upon it, after what we had been told at the time of quitting +the frigate.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">14</a> <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>These things, of the first importance, had not been +placed upon our machine. Above all, the want of a compass the most +alarmed us, and we gave vent to our rage and vengeance. M. Corréard then +remembered he had seen one in the hands of one of the principal workmen +under his command; he spoke to the man, who replied, "Yes, yes, I have +it with me." This information transported us with joy, and we believed +that our safety depended upon this futile resource: it was about the +size of a crown-piece, and very incorrect. Those who have not been in +situations in which their existence was exposed to extreme peril, can +have but a faint knowledge of the price one attaches then to the +simplest objects—with what avidity one seizes the slightest means +capable of mitigating the rigour of that fate against which they +contend. The compass was given to the commander of the raft, but an +accident deprived us of it forever: it fell, and disappeared between the +pieces of wood which formed our machine. We had kept it but a few hours, +and, after its loss, had nothing now to guide us but the rising and +setting of the sun.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14" class="fnanchor">14</a> M. Corréard, fearing that on the event of their being +separated from the boats by any unforeseen accident, called from the +raft to an officer on board the frigate, "Are we in a condition to take +the route?—have we instruments and charts?" got the following reply: +"Yes, yes, I have provided for you every necessary." M. Corréard again +called to him, "Who was to be their commander?" when the same officer +said, "'Tis I; I will be with you in an instant;" but he instantly went +and seated himself in one of the boats!—<span class="smcap">Trans.</span></p></div> + +<p>We had all gone afloat without taking any food. Hunger beginning to be +imperiously felt, we mixed our paste of sea-biscuit<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">15</a> with a little +wine, and distributed it thus prepared. Such was our first meal, and the +best we had, during our stay upon the raft.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15" class="fnanchor">15</a> The biscuit had fallen into the sea, and was with +difficulty recovered.—<span class="smcap">Trans</span>.</p></div> + +<p>An order, according to our numbers, was established for the distribution +of our miserable provisions. The ration of wine was fixed at three +quarters a-day.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">16</a> We will speak no more of the biscuit, it having been +entirely consumed at the first distribution. The day passed away +sufficiently tranquil. We talked of the means by which we would save +ourselves; we spoke of it as a certain circumstance, which reanimated +our courage; and we sus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>tained that of the soldiers, by cherishing in +them the hope of being able, in a short while, to revenge themselves on +those who had so basely abandoned us. This hope of vengeance, it must be +avowed, equally animated us all; and we poured out a thousand +imprecations against those who had left us a prey to so much misery and +danger.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16" class="fnanchor">16</a> The original French is <i>trois quarts</i>, which certainly +<span title="Transcriber's Note: "pinnot" and "cants" changed to "cannot" and "pints"">cannot</span> mean <i>three quarts</i>. In all probability it is three +<span title="Transcriber's Note: "pinnot" and "cants" changed to "cannot" and "pints"">pints</span>.—<span class="smcap">Trans.</span></p></div> + +<p>The officer who commanded the raft being unable to move, M. Savigny took +upon himself the duty of erecting the mast. He caused them to cut in two +one of the poles of the frigate's masts, and fixed it with the rope +which had served to tow us, and of which we made stays and shrowds. It +was placed on the anterior third of the raft. We put up for a sail the +main-top-gallant, which trimmed very well, but was of very little use, +except when the wind served from behind; and to keep the raft in this +course, we were obliged to trim the sail as if the breeze blew athwart +us.</p> + +<p>In the evening, our hearts and our prayers, by a feeling natural to the +unfortunate, were turned towards Heaven. Surrounded by inevitable +dangers, we addressed that invisible Being who has established, and who +maintains the order of the universe. Our vows were fervent, and we +experienced from our prayers the cheering influence of hope. It is +necessary to have been in similar situations, before one can rightly +imagine what a charm it is to the heart of the sufferer the sublime idea +of a God protecting the unfortunate!</p> + +<p>One consoling thought still soothed our imaginations. We persuaded +ourselves that the little division had gone to the isle of Arguin, and +that after it had set a part of its people on shore, the rest would +return to our assistance: we endeavoured to impress this idea on our +soldiers and sailors, which quieted them. The night came without our +hope being realized; the wind freshened, and the sea was considerably +swelled. What a horrible night! The thought of seeing the boats on the +morrow, a little consoled our men, the greater part of whom, being +unaccustomed with the sea, fell on one another at each movement of the +raft. M. Savigny, seconded by some people who still preserved their +presence of mind amidst the disorder, stretched cords across the raft, +by which the men held, and were better able to resist the swell of the +sea: some were even obliged to fasten themselves. In the middle of the +night the weather was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> very rough; huge waves burst upon us, sometimes +overturning us with great violence. The cries of the men, mingled with +the roaring of the flood, whilst the terrible sea raised us at every +instant from the raft, and threatened to sweep us away. This scene was +rendered still more terrible, by the horrors inspired by the darkness of +the night. Suddenly we believed we saw fires in the distance at +intervals. We had had the precaution to hang at the top of the mast, the +gun-powder and pistols which we had brought from the frigate. We made +signals by burning a large quantity of cartridges; we even fired some +pistols, but it seems the fire we saw, was nothing but an error of +vision, or, perhaps, nothing more than the sparkling of the waves.</p> + +<p>We struggled with death during the whole of the night, holding firmly by +the ropes which were made very secure. Tossed by the waves from the back +to the front, and from the front to the back, and sometimes precipitated +into the sea; floating between life and death, mourning our misfortunes, +certain of perishing; we disputed, nevertheless, the remainder of our +existence, with that cruel element which threatened to ingulf us. Such +was our condition till day-break. At every instant were heard the +lamentable cries of the soldiers and sailors; they prepared for death, +bidding farewell to one another, imploring the protection of heaven, and +addressing fervent prayers to God. Every one made vows to him, in spite +of the certainty of never being able to accomplish them. Frightful +situation! How is it possible to have any idea of it, which will not +fall far short of the reality!</p> + +<p>Towards seven in the morning the sea fell a little, the wind blew with +less fury; but what a scene presented itself to our view! Ten or twelve +unfortunates, having their inferior extremities fixed in the openings +between the pieces of the raft, had perished by being unable to +disengage themselves; several others were swept away by the violence of +the sea. At the hour of repast, we took the numbers anew; we had lost +twenty men. We will not affirm that this was the exact number; for we +perceived some soldiers who, to have more than their share, took rations +for two, and even three; we were so huddled together, that we found it +absolutely impossible to prevent this abuse.</p> + +<p>In the midst of these horrors a touching scene of filial piety drew our +tears. Two young men raised and recog<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>nised their father, who had +fallen, and was lying insensible among the feet of the people. They +believed him at first dead, and their despair was expressed in the most +afflicting manner. It was perceived, however, that he still breathed, +and every assistance was rendered for his recovery in our power. He +slowly revived, and was restored to life, and to the prayers of his +sons, who supported him closely, folded in their arms. Whilst our hearts +were softened by this affecting episode in our melancholy adventures, we +had soon to witness the sad spectacle of a dark contrast. Two ship-boys +and a baker feared not to seek death, and threw themselves into the sea, +after having bid farewell to their companions in misfortune. Already the +minds of our people were singularly altered; some believed they saw +land, others ships which were coming to save us; all talked aloud of +their fallacious visions.</p> + +<p>We lamented the loss of our unfortunate companions. At this moment we +were far from anticipating the still more terrible scene which took +place on the following night; far from that, we enjoyed a positive +satisfaction, so well were we persuaded that the boats would return to +our assistance. The day was fine, and the most perfect tranquillity +reigned all the while on our raft. The evening came, and no boats +appeared. Despondency began again to seize our men, and then a spirit of +insubordination manifested itself in cries of rage. The voice of the +officers was entirely disregarded. Night fell rapidly in, the sky was +obscured by dark clouds; the wind which, during the whole of the day, +had blown rather violently, became furious and swelled the sea, which in +an instant became very rough.</p> + +<p>The preceding night had been frightful, but this was still more so. +Mountains of water covered us at every instant, and burst with fury into +the midst of us. Very fortunately we had the wind from behind, and the +strength of the sea was a little broken by the rapidity with which we +were driven before it. We were impelled towards the land. The men, from +the violence of the sea, were hurried from the back to the front; we +were obliged to keep to the centre, the firmest part of the raft, and +those who could not get there almost all perished. Before and behind the +waves dashed impetuously, and swept away the men in spite of all their +resistance. At the centre the pressure was such, that some unfortunates +were suffocate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> by the weight of their comrades, who fell upon them at +every instant. The officers kept by the foot of the little mast, and +were obliged every moment to call to those around them to go to the one +or the other side to avoid the wave; for the sea coming nearly athwart +us, gave our raft nearly a perpendicular position, to counteract which +they were forced to throw themselves upon the side raised by the sea.</p> + +<p>The soldiers and sailors, frightened by the presence of almost +inevitable danger, doubted not that they had reached their last hour. +Firmly believing they were lost, they resolved to soothe their last +moments by drinking till they lost their reason. We had no power to +oppose this disorder. They seized a cask which was in the centre of the +raft, made a hole in the end of it, and, with small tin cups, took each +a pretty large quantity; but they were obliged to cease, for the +sea-water rushed into the hole they had made. The fumes of the wine +failed not to disorder their brains, already weakened by the presence of +danger and want of food. Thus excited, these men became deaf to the +voice of reason. They wished to involve, in one common ruin, all their +companions in misfortune. They avowedly expressed their intention of +freeing themselves from their officers, who, they said, wished to oppose +their design; and then to destroy the raft, by cutting the ropes which +united its different parts. Immediately after, they resolved to put +their plans in execution. One of them advanced upon the side of the raft +with a boarding-axe, and began to cut the cords. This was the signal of +revolt. We stepped forward to prevent these insane mortals, and he who +was armed with the hatchet, with which he even threatened an officer, +fell the first victim; a stroke of a sabre terminated his existence.</p> + +<p>This man was an Asiatic, and a soldier in a colonial regiment. Of a +colossal stature, short hair, a nose extremely large, an enormous mouth, +dark complexion, he made a most hideous appearance. At first he had +placed himself in the middle of the raft, and, at each blow of his fist, +knocked down every one who opposed him; he inspired the greatest terror, +and none durst approach him. Had there been six such, our destruction +would have been certain.</p> + +<p>Some men, anxious to prolong their existence, armed and united +themselves with those who wished to preserve<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> the raft; among this +number were some subaltern officers and many passengers. The rebels drew +their sabres, and those who had none armed themselves with knives. They +advanced in a determined manner upon us; we stood on our defence; the +attack commenced. Animated by despair, one of them aimed a stroke at an +officer; the rebel instantly fell, pierced with wounds. This firmness +awed them for an instant, but diminished nothing of their rage. They +ceased to advance, and withdrew, presenting to us a front bristling with +sabres and bayonets, to the back part of the raft to execute their plan. +One of them feigned to rest himself on the small railings on the sides +of the raft, and with a knife began cutting the cords. Being told by a +servant, one of us sprung upon him. A soldier, wishing to defend him, +struck at the officer with his knife, which only pierced his coat; the +officer wheeled round, seized his adversary, and threw both him and his +comrade into the sea.</p> + +<p>There had been as yet but partial affairs: the combat became general. +Some one cried to lower the sail; a crowd of infuriated mortals threw +themselves in an instant upon the haulyards, the shrouds, and cut them. +The fall of the mast almost broke the thigh of a captain of infantry, +who fell insensible. He was seized by the soldiers, who threw him into +the sea. We saved him, and placed him on a barrel, whence he was taken +by the rebels, who wished to put out his eyes with a penknife. +Exasperated by so much brutality, we no longer restrained ourselves, but +rushed in upon them, and charged them with fury. Sword in hand we +traversed the line which the soldiers formed, and many paid with their +lives the errors of their revolt. Various passengers, during these cruel +moments, evinced the greatest courage and coolness.</p> + +<p>M. Corréard fell into a sort of swoon; but hearing at every instant the +cries, <i>To arms! with us, comrades; we are lost!</i> joined with the groans +and imprecations of the wounded and dying, was soon roused from his +lethargy. All this horrible tumult speedily made him comprehend how +necessary it was to be upon his guard. Armed with his sabre, he gathered +together some of his workmen on the front of the raft, and there charged +them to hurt no one, unless they were attacked. He almost always +remained with them; and several times they had to defend themselves +against the rebels, who, swimming round to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> the point of the raft, +placed M. Corréard and his little troop between two dangers, and made +their position very difficult to defend. At every instant he was opposed +to men armed with knives, sabres, and bayonets. Many had carabines which +they wielded as clubs. Every effort was made to stop them, by holding +them off at the point of their swords; but, in spite of the repugnance +they experienced in fighting with their wretched countrymen, they were +compelled to use their arms without mercy. Many of the mutineers +attacked with fury, and they were obliged to repel them in the same +manner. Some of the labourers received severe wounds in this action. +Their commander could show a great number received in the different +engagements. At last their united efforts prevailed in dispersing this +mass who had attacked them with such fury.</p> + +<p>During this combat, M. Corréard was told by one of his workmen who +remained faithful, that one of their comrades, named Dominique, had gone +over to the rebels, and that they had seized and thrown him into the +sea. Immediately forgetting the fault and treason of this man, he threw +himself in at the place whence the voice of the wretch was heard calling +for assistance, seized him by the hair, and had the good fortune to +restore him on board. Dominique had got several sabre wounds in a +charge, one of which had laid open his head. In spite of the darkness we +found out the wound, which seemed very large. One of the workmen gave +his handkerchief to bind and stop the blood. Our care recovered the +wretch; but, when he had collected strength, the ungrateful Dominique, +forgetting at once his duty and the signal service which we had rendered +him, went and rejoined the rebels. So much baseness and insanity did not +go unrevenged; and soon after he found, in a fresh assault, that death +from which he was not worthy to be saved, but which he might in all +probability have avoided, if, true to honour and gratitude, he had +remained among us.</p> + +<p>Just at the moment we finished dressing the wounds of Dominique, another +voice was heard. It was that of the unfortunate female who was with us +on the raft, and whom the infuriated beings had thrown into the sea, as +well as her husband, who had defended her with courage. M. Corréard, in +despair at seeing two unfortunates perish; whose pitiful cries, +especially the woman's, pierced his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> heart, seized a large rope which he +found on the front of the raft, which he fastened round his middle, and +throwing himself a second time into the sea, was again so fortunate as +to save the woman, who invoked, with all her might, the assistance of +our Lady of Land. Her husband was rescued at the same time by the head +workman, Lavilette. We laid these unfortunates upon the dead bodies, +supporting their backs with a barrel. In a short while they recovered +their senses. The first thing the woman did was to acquaint herself with +the name of the person who saved her, and to express to him her +liveliest gratitude. Finding, doubtless, that her words but ill +expressed her feelings, she recollected she had in her pocket a little +snuff, and instantly offered it to him,—it was all she possessed. +Touched with the gift, but unable to use it, M. Corréard gave it to a +poor sailor, which served him for three or four days. But it is +impossible for us to describe a still more affecting scene,—the joy +this unfortunate couple testified, when they had sufficiently recovered +their senses, at finding they were both saved.</p> + +<p>The rebels being repulsed, as it has been stated above, left us a little +repose. The moon lighted with her melancholy rays this disastrous raft, +this narrow space, on which were found united so many torturing +anxieties, so many cruel misfortunes, a madness so insensate, a courage +so heroic, and the most generous—the most amiable sentiments of nature +and humanity.</p> + +<p>The man and wife, who had been but a little before stabbed with swords +and bayonets, and thrown both together into a stormy sea, could scarcely +credit their senses when they found themselves in one another's arms. +The woman was a native of the Upper Alps, which place she had left +twenty-four years before, and during which time she had followed the +French armies in the campaigns in Italy, and other places, as a sutler. +"Therefore preserve my life," said she to M. Corréard, "you see I am an +useful woman. Ah! if you knew how often I have ventured upon the field +of battle, and braved death to carry assistance to our gallant men. +Whether they had money or not, I always let them have my goods. +Sometimes a battle would deprive me of my poor debtors, but after the +victory, others would pay me double or triple for what they had consumed +before the engagement. Thus I came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> in for a share of their victories." +Unfortunate woman! she little knew what a horrible fate awaited her +among us! They felt, they expressed so vividly that happiness which they +alas so shortly enjoyed, that it would have drawn tears from the most +obdurate heart. But in that horrible moment, when we scarcely breathed +from the most furious attack,—when we were obliged to be continually on +our guard, not only against the violence of the men, but a most +boisterous sea, few among us had time to attend to scenes of conjugal +affection.</p> + +<p>After this second check, the rage of the soldiers was suddenly appeased, +and gave place to the most abject cowardice. Several threw themselves at +our feet, and implored our pardon, which was instantly granted. Thinking +that order was reestablished, we returned to our station on the centre +of the raft, only taking the precaution of keeping our arms. We, +however, had soon to prove the impossibility of counting on the +permanence of any honest sentiment in the hearts of these beings.</p> + +<p>It was nearly midnight; and after an hour of apparent tranquillity, the +soldiers rose afresh. Their mind was entirely gone; they ran upon us in +despair with knives and sabres in their hands. As they yet had all their +physical strength, and besides were armed, we were obliged again to +stand on our defence. Their revolt became still more dangerous, as, in +their delirium, they were entirely deaf to the voice of reason. They +attacked us, we charged them in our turn, and immediately the raft was +strewed with their dead bodies. Those of our adversaries who had no +weapons endeavoured to tear us with their sharp teeth. Many of us were +cruelly bitten. M. Savigny was torn on the legs and the shoulder; he +also received a wound on the right arm, which deprived him of the use of +his fourth and little finger for a long while. Many others were wounded; +and many cuts were found in our clothes from knives and sabres.</p> + +<p>One of our workmen was also seized by four of the rebels, who wished to +throw him into the sea. One of them had laid hold of his right leg, and +had bit most unmercifully the tendon above the heel; others were +striking him with great slashes of their sabres, and with the <span title="Transcriber's Note: "but" changed to "butt"">butt</span> end +of their guns, when his cries made us hasten to his assistance. In this +affair, the brave Lavilette, ex-serjeant of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> foot artillery of the +Old Guard, behaved with a courage worthy of the greatest praise. He +rushed upon the infuriated beings in the manner of M. Corréard, and soon +snatched the workman from the danger which menaced him. Some short while +after, in a fresh attack of the rebels, sub-lieutenant Lozach fell into +their hands. In their delirium, they had taken him for Lieutenant +Danglas,<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">17</a> of whom we have formerly spoken, and who had abandoned the +raft at the moment when we were quitting the frigate. The troop, to a +man, eagerly sought this officer, who had seen little service, and whom +they reproached for having used them ill during the time they garrisoned +the Isle of Rhé. We believed this officer lost, but hearing his voice, +we soon found it still possible to save him. Immediately MM. Clairet, +Savigny, L'Heureux, Lavilette, Coudin, Corréard, and some workmen, +formed themselves into small platoons, and rushed upon the insurgents +with great impetuosity, overturning every one in their way, and retook +M. Lozach, and placed him on the centre of the raft.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17" class="fnanchor">17</a> Danglas had gone upon the raft at first, on which his post +had been assigned; "but when he saw the danger which he ran upon this +frightful machine, he instantly quitted it on pretence of having forgot +something on board, and never returned."—<span class="smcap">Trans.</span></p></div> + +<p>The preservation of this officer cost us infinite difficulty. Every +moment the soldiers demanded he should be delivered to them, designating +him always by the name of Danglas. We endeavoured to make them +comprehend their mistake, and told them that they themselves had seen +the person for whom they sought return on board the frigate. They were +insensible to every thing we said; every thing before them was Danglas; +they saw him perpetually, and furiously and unceasingly demanded his +head. It was only by force of arms we succeeded in repressing their +rage, and quieting their dreadful cries of death.</p> + +<p>Horrible night! thou shrouded with thy gloomy veil these frightful +combats, over which presided the cruel demon of despair.</p> + +<p>We had also to tremble for the life of M. Coudin. Wounded and fatigued +by the attacks which he had sus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>tained with us, and in which he had +shown a courage superior to every thing, he was resting himself on a +barrel, holding in his arms a young sailor boy of twelve years of age, +to whom he had attached himself. The mutineers seized him with his +barrel, and threw him into the sea with the boy, whom he still held +fast. In spite of his burden, he had the presence of mind to lay hold of +the raft, and to save himself from this extreme peril.</p> + +<p>We cannot yet comprehend how a handful of men should have been able to +resist such a number so monstrously insane. We are sure we were not more +than twenty to combat all these madmen. Let it not, however, be +imagined, that in the midst of all these dangers we had preserved our +reason entire. Fear, anxiety, and the most cruel privations, had greatly +changed our intellectual faculties. But being somewhat less insane than +the unfortunate soldiers, we energetically opposed their determination +of cutting the cords of the raft. Permit us now to make some +observations concerning the different sensations with which we were +affected.</p> + +<p>During the first day, M. Griffon entirely lost his senses. He threw +himself into the sea, but M. Savigny saved him with his own hands. His +words were vague and unconnected. A second time he threw himself in, +but, by a sort of instinct, kept hold of the cross pieces of the raft, +and was again saved.</p> + +<p>The following is what M. Savigny experienced in the beginning of the +night. His eyes closed in spite of himself, and he felt a general +drowsiness. In this condition the most delightful visions flitted across +his imagination. He saw around him a country covered with the most +beautiful plantations, and found himself in the midst of objects +delightful to his senses. Nevertheless, he reasoned concerning his +condition, and felt that courage alone could withdraw him from this +species of non-existence. He demanded some wine from the master-gunner, +who got it for him, and he recovered a little from this state of stupor. +If the unfortunates who were assailed with these primary symptoms had +not strength to withstand them, their death was certain. Some became +furious; others threw themselves into the sea, bidding farewell to their +comrades with the utmost coolness. Some said—"Fear nothing; I am going +to get you assistance, and will re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>turn in a short while." In the midst +of this general madness, some wretches were seen rushing upon their +companions, sword in hand, demanding <i>a wing of a chicken and some +bread</i> to appease the hunger which consumed them; others asked for their +hammocks to go, they said, <i>between the decks of the frigate to take a +little repose</i>. Many believed they were still on the deck of the Medusa, +surrounded by the same objects they there saw daily. Some saw ships, and +called to them for assistance, or a fine harbour, in the distance of +which was an elegant city. M. Corréard thought he was travelling through +the beautiful fields of Italy. An officer said to him—"I recollect we +have been abandoned by the boats; but fear nothing. I am going to write +to the governor, and in a few hours we shall be saved." M. Corréard +replied in the same tone, and as if he had been in his ordinary +condition.—"Have you a pigeon to carry your orders with such celerity?" +The cries and the confusion soon roused us from this languor; but when +tranquillity was somewhat restored, we again fell into the same drowsy +condition. On the morrow, we felt as if we had awoke from a painful +dream, and asked at our companions, if, during their sleep, they had not +seen combats, and heard cries of despair. Some replied, that the same +visions had continually tormented them, and that they were exhausted +with fatigue. Every one believed he was deceived by the illusions of a +horrible dream.</p> + +<p>After these different combats, overcome with toil, with want of food and +sleep, we laid ourselves down and reposed till the morrow dawned, and +showed us the horror of the scene. A great number in their delirium had +thrown themselves into the sea. We found that sixty or sixty-five had +perished during the night. A fourth part at least, we supposed, had +drowned themselves in despair. We only lost two of our own numbers, +neither of whom were officers. The deepest dejection was painted on +every face; each, having recovered himself, could now feel the horrors +of his situation; and some of us, shedding tears of despair, bitterly +deplored the rigour of our fate.</p> + +<p>A new misfortune was now revealed to us. During the tumult, the rebels +had thrown into the sea two barrels of wine, and the only two casks of +water which we had upon the raft. Two casks of wine had been consumed +the day before, and only one was left. We were more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> than sixty in +number, and we were obliged to put ourselves on half rations.</p> + +<p>At break of day, the sea calmed, which permitted us again to erect our +mast. When it was replaced, we made a distribution of wine. The unhappy +soldiers murmured and blamed us for privations which we equally endured +with them. They fell exhausted. We had taken nothing for forty-eight +hours, and we had been obliged to struggle continually against a strong +sea. We could, like them, hardly support ourselves; courage alone made +us still act. We resolved to employ every possible means to catch fish, +and, collecting all the hooks and eyes from the soldiers, made +fish-hooks of them, but all was of no avail. The currents carried our +lines under the raft, where they got entangled. We bent a bayonet to +catch sharks; one bit at it, and straightened it, and we abandoned our +project. Something was absolutely necessary to sustain our miserable +existence, and we tremble with horror at being obliged to tell that of +which we made use. We feel our pen fall from our hands: a mortal cold +congeals all our members, and our hair bristles erect on our foreheads. +Readers! we implore you, feel not indignant towards men already +overloaded with misery. Pity their condition, and shed a tear of sorrow +for their deplorable fate.</p> + +<p>The wretches, whom death had spared during the disastrous night we have +described, seized upon the dead bodies with which the raft was covered, +cutting them up by slices, which some even instantly devoured. Many +nevertheless refrained. Almost all the officers were of this number. +Seeing that this monstrous food had revived the strength of those who +had used it, it was proposed to dry it, to make it a little more +palatable. Those who had firmness to abstain from it, took an additional +quantity of wine. We endeavoured to eat shoulder-belts and +cartouch-boxes, and contrived to swallow some small bits of them. Some +eat linen: others the leathers of the hats, on which was a little +grease, or rather dirt. We had recourse to many expedients to prolong +our miserable existence, to recount which would only disgust the heart +of humanity.</p> + +<p>The day was calm and beautiful. A ray of hope beamed for a moment to +quiet our agitation. We still expected to see the boats or some ships, +and addressed our prayers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> to the Eternal, on whom we placed our trust. +The half of our men were extremely feeble, and bore upon their faces the +stamp of approaching dissolution. The evening arrived, and we found no +help. The darkness of the third night augmented our fears, but the wind +was still, and the sea less agitated. The sun of the fourth morning +since our departure shone upon our disaster, and showed us ten or twelve +of our companions stretched lifeless upon the raft. This sight struck us +most forcibly, as it told us we would be soon extended in the same +manner in the same place. We gave their bodies to the sea for a grave, +reserving only one to feed those who, but the day before, had held his +trembling hands, and sworn to him eternal friendship. This day was +beautiful. Our souls, anxious for more delightful sensations, were in +harmony with the aspect of the heavens, and got again a new ray of hope. +Towards four in the afternoon, an unlooked for event happened which gave +us some consolation. A shoal of flying fish passed under our raft, and +as there were an infinite number of openings between the pieces which +composed it, the fish were entangled in great quantities. We threw +ourselves upon them, and captured a considerable number. We took about +two hundred and put them in an empty barrel; we opened them as we caught +them, and took out what is called their milt. This food seemed +delicious; but one man would have required a thousand.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">18</a> Our first +emotion was to give to God renewed thanks for this unhoped for favour.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18" class="fnanchor">18</a> These fish are very small, the largest not equal in size +to a small herring.</p></div> + +<p>An ounce of gunpowder having been found in the morning, was dried in the +sun during the day, which was very fine; a steel, gun-flints, and tinder +made also a part of the same parcel. After a good deal of difficulty we +set fire to some fragments of dry linen. We made a large opening in the +side of an empty cask, and placed at the bottom of it several wet +things, and upon this kind of scaffolding we set our fire; all of which +we placed on a barrel that the sea-water might not extinguish it. We +cooked some fish and eat them with extreme avidity; but our hunger was +such, and our portion so small, that we added to it some of the +sacrilegious viands, which the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>cooking rendered less revolting. This +some of the officers touched for the first time. From this day we +continued to eat it; but we could no longer dress it, the means of +making a fire having been entirely lost; the barrel having caught fire +we extinguished it without being able to preserve anything to rekindle +it on the morrow. The powder and tinder were entirely done. This meal +gave us all additional strength to support our fatigues. The night was +tolerable, and would have been happy, had it not been signalized by a +new massacre.</p> + +<p>Some Spaniards, Italians, and negroes, had formed a plot to throw us all +into the sea. The negroes had told them that they were very near the +shore, and that, when there, they would enable them to traverse Africa +without danger. We had to take to our arms again, the sailors, who had +remained faithful to us, pointing out to us the conspirators. The first +signal for battle was given by a Spaniard, who, placing himself behind +the mast, holding fast by it, made the sign of the Cross with one hand, +invoking the name of God, and with the other held a knife. The sailors +seized him and threw him into the sea. An Italian, servant to an officer +of the troops, who was in the plot, seeing all was discovered, armed +himself with the only boarding axe left on the raft, made his retreat to +the front, enveloped himself in a piece of drapery he wore across his +breast, and of his own accord threw himself into the sea. The rebels +rushed forward to avenge their comrades; a terrible conflict again +commenced; both sides fought with desperate fury; and soon the fatal +raft was strewed with dead bodies and blood, which should have been shed +by other hands, and in another cause. In this tumult we heard them again +demanding, with horrid rage, the head of Lieut. Danglas! In this assault +the unfortunate sutler was a second time thrown into the sea. M. Coudin, +assisted by some workmen, saved her, to prolong for a little while her +torments and her existence.</p> + +<p>In this terrible night Lavillette failed not to give proofs of the +rarest intrepidity. It was to him and some of these who have survived +the sequel of our misfortunes, that we owed our safety. At last, after +unheard of efforts, the rebels were once more repulsed, and quiet +restored. Having escaped this new danger, we endeavoured to get some +repose. The day at length dawned upon us for the fifth time.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> We were +now no more than thirty in number. We had lost four or five of our +faithful sailors, and those who survived were in the most deplorable +condition. The sea-water had almost entirely excoriated the skin of our +lower extremities; we were covered with contusions or wounds, which, +irritated by the salt water, extorted from us the most piercing cries. +About twenty of us only were capable of standing upright or walking. +Almost all our fish was exhausted; we had but four days' supply of wine: +in four days, said we, nothing will be left, and death will be +inevitable. Thus came the seventh day of our abandonment. In the course +of the day two soldiers had glided behind the only barrel of wine that +was left; pierced it, and were drinking by means of a reed. We had sworn +that those who used such means should be punished with death; which law +was instantly put in execution, and the two transgressors were thrown +into the sea.</p> + +<p>This same day saw the close of the life of a child named Leon, aged +twelve years. He died like a lamp which ceases to burn for want of +aliment. All spoke in favour of this young and amiable creature, who +merited a better fate. His angelic form, his musical voice, the interest +of an age so tender, increased still more by the courage he had shown, +and the services he had performed, for he had already made in the +preceding year a campaign in the East Indies, inspired us all with the +greatest pity for this young victim, devoted to so horrible and +premature a death. Our old soldiers and all our people in general did +every thing they could to prolong his existence, but all was in vain. +Neither the wine which they gave him without regret, nor all the means +they employed, could arrest his melancholy doom, and he expired, in the +arms of M. Coudin, who had not ceased to give him the most unwearied +attention. Whilst he had strength to move, he ran incessantly from one +side to the other, loudly calling for his unhappy mother, for water and +food. He trode indiscriminately on the feet and legs of his companions +in misfortune, who, in their turn, uttered sorrowful cries, but these +were very rarely accompanied with menaces; they pardoned all which the +poor boy had made them suffer. He was not in his senses, consequently +could not be expected to behave as if he had had the use of his reason.</p> + +<p>There now remained but twenty-seven of us. Fifteen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> of that number +seemed able to live yet some days; the rest, covered with large wounds, +had almost entirely lost the use of their reason. They still, however, +shared in the distributions, and would, before they died, consume thirty +or forty bottles of wine, which to us were inestimable. We deliberated, +that by putting the sick on half allowance was but putting them to death +by halves; but after a counsel, at which presided the most dreadful +despair, it was decided they should be thrown into the sea. This means, +however repugnant, however horrible it appeared to us, procured the +survivors six days' wine. But after the decision was made, who durst +execute it? The habit of seeing death ready to devour us; the certainty +of our infallible destruction without this monstrous expedient; all, in +short, had hardened our hearts to every feeling but that of +self-preservation. Three sailors and a soldier took charge of this cruel +business. We looked aside and shed tears of blood at the fate of these +unfortunates. Among them were the wretched Sutler and her husband. Both +had been grievously wounded in the different combats. The woman had a +thigh broken between the beams of the raft, and a stroke of a sabre had +made a deep wound in the head of her husband. Every thing announced +their approaching end. We console ourselves with the belief that our +cruel resolution shortened but a brief space the term of their +existence. Ye who shudder at the cry of outraged humanity, recollect, +that it was other men, fellow-countrymen, comrades, who had placed us in +this awful situation!</p> + +<p>This horrible expedient saved the fifteen who remained; for when we were +found by the Argus brig, we had very little wine left, and it was the +sixth day after the cruel sacrifice we have described. The victims, we +repeat, had not more than forty-eight hours to live, and by keeping them +on the raft, we would have been absolutely destitute of the means of +existence two days before we were found. Weak as we were, we considered +it as a certain thing, that it would have been impossible for us to have +lived only twenty-four hours more without taking some food. After this +catastrophe, we threw our arms into the sea; they inspired us with a +horror we could not overcome. We only kept one sabre, in case we had to +cut some cordage or some piece of wood.</p> + +<p>A new event, for every thing was an <i>event</i> to wretches<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> to whom the +world was reduced to the narrow space of a few toises, and for whom the +winds and waves contended in their fury as they floated above the abyss; +an event happened which diverted our minds from the horrors of our +situation. All on a sudden a white butterfly, of a species common in +France, came fluttering above our heads, and settled on our sail. The +first thought this little creature suggested was, that it was the +harbinger of approaching land, and we clung to the hope with a delirium +of joy. It was the ninth day we had been upon the raft; the torments of +hunger consumed our entrails; and the soldiers and sailors already +devoured with haggard eyes this wretched prey, and seemed ready to +dispute about it. Others looking upon it as a messenger from Heaven, +declared that they took it under their protection, and would suffer none +to do it harm. It is certain we could not be far from land, for the +butterflies continued to come on the following days, and flutter about +our sail. We had also on the same day another indication not less +positive, by a Goéland which flew around our raft. This second visitor +left us not a doubt that we were fast approaching the African soil, and +we persuaded ourselves we would be speedily thrown upon the coast by the +force of the currents.</p> + +<p>This same day a new care employed us. Seeing we were reduced to so small +a number, we collected all the little strength we had left, detached +some planks on the front of the raft, and, with some pretty long pieces +of wood, raised on the centre a kind of platform, on which we reposed. +All the effects we could collect were placed upon it, and rendered to +make it less hard; which also prevented the sea from passing with such +facility through the spaces between the different planks, but the waves +came across, and sometimes covered us completely.</p> + +<p>On this new theatre we resolved to meet death in a manner becoming +Frenchmen, and with perfect resignation. Our time was almost wholly +spent in speaking of our unhappy country. All our wishes, our last +prayers, were for the prosperity of France. Thus passed the last days of +our abode upon the Raft.</p> + +<p>Soon after our abandonment, we bore with comparative ease the immersions +during the nights, which are very cold in these countries; but latterly, +every time the waves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> washed over us, we felt a most painful sensation, +and we uttered plaintive cries. We employed every means to avoid it. +Some supported their heads on pieces of wood, and made with what they +could find a sort of little parapet to screen them from the force of the +waves; others sheltered themselves behind two empty casks. But these +means were very insufficient; it was only when the sea was calm that it +did not break over us.</p> + +<p>An ardent thirst, redoubled in the day by the beams of a burning sun, +consumed us. An officer of the army found by chance a small lemon, and +it may be easily imagined how valuable such a fruit would be to him. His +comrades, in spite of the most urgent entreaties, could not get a bit of +it from him. Signs of rage were already manifested, and had he not +partly listened to the solicitations of those around him, they would +have taken it by force, and he would have perished the victim of his +selfishness. We also disputed about thirty clover of garlic which were +found in the bottom of a sack. These disputes were for the most part +accompanied with violent menaces, and if they had been prolonged, we +might perhaps have come to the last extremities. There was found also +two small phials, in which was a spirituous liquid for cleaning the +teeth. He who possessed them kept them with care, and gave with +reluctance one or two drops in the palm of the hand. This liquor which, +we think, was a tincture of guiacum, cinnamon, cloves, and other +aromatic substances, produced on our tongues an agreeable feeling, and +for a short while removed the thirst which destroyed us. Some of us +found some small pieces of powder, which made, when put into the mouth, +a kind of coolness. One plan generally employed was to put into a hat a +quantity of sea-water, with which we washed our faces for a while, +repeating it at intervals. We also bathed our hair, and held our hands +in the water.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">19</a> Misfortune made us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> ingenious, and each thought of a +thousand means to alleviate his sufferings. Emaciated by the most cruel +privations, the least agreeable feeling was to us a happiness supreme. +Thus we sought with avidity a small empty phial which one of us +possessed, and in which had once been some essence of roses; and every +one as he got hold of it respired with delight the odour it exhaled, +which imparted to his senses the most soothing impressions. Many of us +kept our ration of wine in a small tin cup, and sucked it out with a +quill. This manner of taking it was of great benefit to us, and allayed +our thirst much better than if we had gulped it of at once.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19" class="fnanchor">19</a> People in a similar situation as that described here, have +found great benefit by soaking their clothes in the sea, and then +dressing themselves with them. This means was not resorted to by the +sufferers on the fatal raft. +</p><p> +Mungo Park when much afflicted by thirst in the Desert, found great +relief by keeping a pebble in his mouth.—<span class="smcap">Trans.</span></p></div> + +<p>Three days passed in inexpressible anguish. So much did we despise life, +that many of us feared not to bathe in sight of the sharks which +surrounded our raft; others placed themselves naked upon the front of +our machine, which was under water. These expedients diminished a little +the ardour of their thirst. A species of molusca, known to seamen by the +name of <i>gatère</i>, was sometimes driven in great numbers on our raft; and +when their long arms rested on our naked bodies, they occasioned us the +most cruel sufferings. Will it be believed, that admist these terrible +scenes, struggling with inevitable death, some of us uttered +pleasantries which made us yet smile, in spite of the horrors of our +situation? One, besides others, said jestingly, "<i>If the brig is sent to +search for us, pray God it has the eyes of Argus</i>," in allusion to the +name of the vessel we presumed would be sent to our assistance. This +consolatory idea never left us an instant, and we spoke of it +frequently.</p> + +<p>On the 16th, reckoning we were very near land, eight of the most +determined among us resolved to endeavour to gain the coast. A second +raft, of smaller dimensions, was formed for transporting them thither; +but it was found insufficient, and they at length determined to await +death in their present situation. Meanwhile night came on, and its +sombre veil revived in our minds the most afflicting thoughts. We were +convinced there were not above a dozen or fifteen bottles of wine in our +barrel. We began to have an invincible disgust at the flesh which had +till then scarcely supported us; and we may say, that the sight of it +inspired us with feelings of horror, doubtless produced by the idea of +our approaching destruction.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> On the morning of the 17th, the sun +appeared free from clouds. After having addressed our prayers to the +Eternal, we divided among us a part of our wine. Each, with delight, was +taking his small portion, when a captain of infantry, casting his eyes +on the horizon, perceived a ship, and announced it to us by an +exclamation of joy. We knew it to be a brig, but it was at a great +distance; we could only distinguish the masts. The sight of this vessel +revived in us emotions difficult to describe. Each believed his +deliverance sure, and we gave a thousand thanks to God. Fears, however, +mingled with our hopes. We straightened some hoops of casks, to the ends +of which we fixed handkerchiefs of different colours. A man, with our +united assistance, mounted to the top of the mast, and waved these +little flags. For more than half an hour, we were tossed between hope +and fear. Some thought the vessel grew larger, and others were convinced +its course was from us. These last were the only ones whose eyes were +not blinded by hope, for the ship disappeared.</p> + +<p>From the delirium of joy, we passed to that of despondency and sorrow. +We envied the fate of those whom we had seen perish at our sides; and we +said to ourselves, "When we shall be in want of every thing, and when +our strength begins to forsake us, we will wrap ourselves up as well as +we can, we will stretch ourselves on this platform, the witness of the +most cruel sufferings, and there await death with resignation." At +length, to calm our despair, we sought for consolation in the arms of +sleep. The day before, we had been scorched by the beams of a burning +sun; to-day, to avoid the fierceness of his rays, we made a tent with +the main-sail of the frigate. As soon as it was finished, we laid +ourselves under it; thus all that was passing without was hid from our +eyes. We proposed then to write upon a plank an abridgement of our +adventures, and to add our names at the bottom of the recital, and fix +it to the upper part of the mast, in the hope it would reach the +government and our families.</p> + +<p>After having passed two hours, a prey to the most cruel reflections, the +master gunner of the frigate, wishing to go to the front of the raft, +went out from below the tent. Scarcely had he put out his head, when he +turned to us, uttering a piercing cry. Joy was painted upon his face; +his hands were stretched towards the sea; he breathed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> with difficulty. +All he was able to say was: "<span class="smcap">Saved! see the brig upon us!</span><span title="Transcriber's Note: Quotation mark added after "us!"">"</span> and in fact +it was not more than half a league distant, having every sail set, and +steering right upon us. We rushed from our tent; even those whom +enormous wounds in their inferior extremities had confined for many +days, dragged themselves to the back of the raft, to enjoy a sight of +the ship which had come to save us from certain death. We embraced one +another with a transport which looked much like madness, and tears of +joy trickled down our cheeks, withered by the most cruel privations. +Each seized handkerchiefs, or some pieces of linen, to make signals to +the brig, which was rapidly approaching us. Some fell on their knees, +and fervently returned thanks to Providence for this miraculous +preservation of their lives. Our joy redoubled when we saw at the top of +the fore-mast a large white flag, and we cried, "It is then to Frenchmen +we will owe our deliverance." We instantly recognised the brig to be the +Argus; it was then about two gun-shots from us. We were terribly +impatient to see her reef her sails, which at last she did, and fresh +cries of joy arose from our raft. The Argus came and lay-to on our +starboard, about half a pistol-shot from us. The crew, ranged upon the +deck and on the shrouds, announced to us, by the waving of their hands +and hats, the pleasure they felt at coming to the assistance of their +unfortunate countrymen. In a short time we were all transported on board +the brig, where we found the lieutenant of the frigate, and some others +who had been wrecked with us. Compassion was painted on every face; and +pity drew tears from every eye which beheld us.</p> + +<p>We found some excellent broth on board the brig, which they had +prepared, and when they had perceived us they added to it some wine, and +thus restored our nearly exhausted strength. They bestowed on us the +most generous care and attention; our wounds were dressed, and on the +morrow many of our sick began to revive. Some, however, still suffered +much, for they were placed between decks, very near the kitchen, which +augmented the almost insupportable heat of these latitudes. This want of +space arose from the small size of the vessel. The number of the +shipwrecked was indeed very considerable. Those who did not belong to +the navy were laid upon cables, wrapped in flags, and placed under the +fire of the kitchen.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> Here they had almost perished during the course of +the night, fire having broken out between decks about ten in the +evening; but timely assistance being rendered, we were saved for the +second time. We had scarcely escaped when some of us became again +delirious. An officer of infantry wished to throw himself into the sea, +to look for his pocket-book, and would have done it had he not been +prevented. Others were seized in a manner not less frenzied.</p> + +<p>The commander and officers of the brig watched over us, and kindly +anticipated our wants. They snatched us from death, by saving us from +our raft; their unremitting care revived within us the spark of life. +The surgeon of the ship, M. Renaud, distinguished himself for his +indefatigable zeal. He was obliged to spend the whole of the day in +dressing our wounds; and during the two days we were on the brig, he +bestowed on us all the aid of his art, with an attention and gentleness +which merit our eternal gratitude.</p> + +<p>In truth, it was time we should find an end of our sufferings; they had +lasted thirteen days, in the most cruel manner. The strongest among us +might have lived forty-eight hours, or so, longer. M. Corréard felt that +he must die in the course of the day; he had, however, a presentiment we +would be saved. He said, that a series of events so unheard of would not +be buried in oblivion; that Providence would at least preserve some of +us to tell to the world the melancholy story of our misfortunes.</p> + +<p>Such is the faithful history of those who were left upon the memorable +raft. Of one hundred and fifty, fifteen only were saved. Five of that +number never recovered their fatigue, and died at St Louis. Those who +yet live are covered with scars; and the cruel sufferings to which they +have been exposed, have materially shaken their constitution.—Naufrage +de la Frégate la Meduse; par A. <span title="Transcriber's Note: "Correard" changed to "Corréard"">Corréard</span> et J. B. H. Savigny. Seconde +Edition. Paris, 8vo. 1818.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="NOTES" id="NOTES"></a>NOTES.</h2> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="NOTE_A" id="NOTE_A"></a>Note A</span>, p. <a href="#FNanchor_7_7">100</a>.</p> + +<p>In preparing their corn for food, the natives use a large wooden mortar +called a <i>paloon</i>, in which they bruise the seed until it parts with the +outer covering, or husk, which is then separated from the clean corn, by +exposing it to the wind, nearly in the same manner as wheat is cleaned +from the chaff in England. The corn thus freed from the husk, is +returned to the mortar, and beaten into meal; which is dressed variously +in different countries; but the most common preparation of it among the +nations of the Gambia, is a sort of pudding, which they call kouskous. +It is made by first moistening the flour with water, and then stirring +and shaking it about in a large calabash, or gourd, till it adheres +together in small granules, resembling sago. It is then put into an +earthen pot, whose bottom is perforated with a number of holes; and this +pot being placed upon another, the two vessels are luted together, +either with a paste of meal and water, or cow-dung, and placed upon the +fire. In the lower vessel is commonly some animal food and water, the +steam or vapour of which ascends through the perforations in the bottom +of the upper vessel, and softens and prepares the kouskous, which is +very much esteemed throughout all the countries that I visited. I am +informed, that the same manner of preparing flour is very generally used +on the Barbary coast, and that the dish so prepared is there so called +by the same name. It is therefore probable, that the Negroes borrowed +the practise from the Moors.</p> + +<p>For gratifying a taste for variety, another sort of pud<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>ding, called +<i>realing</i>, is sometimes prepared from the meal of corn; and they have +also adopted two or three different modes of dressing their rice. Of +vegetable food, therefore, the natives have no want; and although the +common class of people are but sparingly supplied with animal food, yet +this article is not wholly withheld from them.—Park's Travels, in 1795, +1796, and 1797, pp. 10, 11. Lond. 1799, 4to.</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="NOTE_B" id="NOTE_B"></a>Note B</span>, p. <a href="#FNanchor_8_8">103</a>.</p> + +<p>I cannot withhold the following notice of the worthy Major's death, +extracted from a work lately published, entitled Travels, in Western +Africa, in the years 1818, 1819, 1820 and 1821, by Major William Gray. +Lond. 1825, 8vo.</p> + +<p>"On that day (24th December) Major Peddie was attacked with a violent +fever, from which he experienced little relief until the morning of the +1st of January 1817, when, thinking himself better, he left his bed, but +was soon obliged to resume it, and in a few hours breathed his last.</p> + +<p>"This was a sad commencement of the new year, and the melancholy event +cast a heavy gloom on the minds of every individual connected with the +expedition. It made so deep an impression on some, that it was with much +difficulty they could be prevailed on not to abandon the enterprise. +Never was a man more sincerely beloved, nor more truly regretted, by all +who knew him. His remains were deposited, amidst the heartfelt regrets +of his friends and companions, on the following day, in the court-yard +of Mr Beatman, under the shade of two orange-trees; and an appropriate +epitaph, written by Captain Campbell, and carved on a slab of native +mahogany, was placed on his grave." pp. 67.</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="NOTE_C" id="NOTE_C"></a>Note C</span>, p. <a href="#FNanchor_10_10">108</a>.</p> + +<p>When we had reached the other side of the river, they drew the piroque +on land. This is the only way that the people of the country have to +secure their little boats, which the surge would instantly fill, when +they cannot cast anchor at a sufficient distance from the shore.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + +<p>This <span title="Transcriber's Note: "mauœuvre" changed to "manœuvre"">manœuvre</span> did not occupy a long time, and I bent my steps to the +village of Sor. I was kindly welcomed as usual; and I requested them to +point out to me the best place for hunting; for I had that day left my +interpreter, because I had gained a sufficient knowledge of the language +of the country to understand all that the negroes said to me, and to +make myself understood by them. They led me in a direction whence I had +seen a troop of antelopes scamper off; but I thought no more of the +chase after I had seen a tree, the enormous dimensions of which +completely rivetted my attention. It was a calabash tree, otherwise +called the monkey-bread tree, which the Woloffs call <i>goui</i> in their +language. Its height was nothing extraordinary, being but about sixty +feet; but its trunk was of prodigious dimensions. I spanned it thirteen +times with my arms stretched out, but it was more; and, for greater +exactness, I at last measured it with twine, and found its circumference +to be sixty-five feet, its diameter consequently nearly twenty-two feet. +I believe there has never been any thing seen equal to it in any +country; and, I am persuaded that, had our ancient travellers known it, +they would not have failed to have included it among the wonders of the +world. It is also very astonishing that this tree has been totally +neglected by those who have given us the history of Senegal, especially +as there are but few common to the country.</p> + +<p>The trunk of the one which I saw was twenty-two feet in diameter, about +eight or twelve feet in height, with many branches, some of which +stretched out horizontally, and touched the ground with their tops. +These were very large, some being about forty-five or fifty-five feet in +length. Each branch would have made one of the largest trees in Europe; +and the tout ensemble of the monkey-bread tree looked less like a single +tree than a forest. This was not all. The negro who conducted me took me +to a second, which was sixty-three feet in circumference, that is +twenty-one feet in diameter, and appeared to be about one hundred and +ten feet in length, without counting the root which was concealed under +the waters of a neighbouring river, the depth of which I had no means of +ascertaining. The same negro told me of a third which was not far from +the place where we were, and added that, without leaving the island, I +would see a great many more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> which were not much inferior in size, pp. +54, 55.—Histoire Naturelle du Sénégal; avec le Relation abrégée d'un +Voyage fait en ce Pays, pendant les années, 1749, 1750, 1751, 1752 and +1753. Par M. Adanson, Correspondant de l'Academie Royale des Sciences, +Paris, 1757, 4to.</p> + +<p>It was night before we reached Cogné. Our route was bordered with +gum-trees, the yellow flowers of which, arranged in circular bunches, +spread a delicious perfume. We also saw some <i>rates</i>. The bark of this +tree yields a yellow dye; its leaf is without indentation, and of a +beautiful green; it is not very high; the wood is white, and the bark is +easily reduced to powder. This was the first time that I saw the <span title="Transcriber's Note: "buobab" changed to "baobab"">baobab</span>, +that enormous tree which has been described by Adanson, and which bears +his name. I measured one, and found it to be forty feet in +circumference. Stripped at this time of its foliage, it resembled an +immense wooden tower. This majestic mass is the only monument of +antiquity to be met with in Africa. I am astonished that the negroes +have not paid to this tree the same honours that the Druids did to the +oak; for to them the baobab is perhaps the most valuable of vegetables. +Its leaves are used for leaven, its bark furnishes indistructible +cordage; and the bees form their hives in the cavities of its trunk. The +negroes, too, often shelter themselves from storms in its time-worn +caverns. The baobab is indisputably the monarch of African trees, p. +41.—Travels in the interior of Africa, to the sources of the Senegal +and Gambia, by G. Mollien. Lond. 1820, 4to.</p> + +<p>Mollien was one of the shipwrecked in the Medusa, and who got to the +shores of the desert in the boats.—<i>Trans.</i></p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="NOTE_D" id="NOTE_D"></a>Note D</span>, p. <a href="#FNanchor_11_11">110</a>.</p> + +<p>The kingdom of Kajaaga, in which I was now arrived, is called by the +French Gallam; but the name that I have adopted is universally used by +the natives.—Park's Travels, c. v. p. 1.</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap"><a name="NOTE_E" id="NOTE_E"></a>Note E</span>, p. <a href="#FNanchor_12_12">111</a>.</p> + +<p>About eight o'clock, we passed a large town called Kabba, situated in +the midst of a beautiful and highly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> cultivated country; bearing a +greater resemblance to the centre of England, than what I should have +supposed had been the middle of Africa. The people were everywhere +employed in collecting the fruit of the Shea-trees, from which they +prepare the vegetable butter, mentioned in a former part of this work. +These trees grow in great abundance all over this part of Bambaraa. They +are not planted by the natives, but are found growing naturally in the +woods; and, in clearing wood-land for cultivation, every tree is cut +down but the Shea. The tree itself very much resembles the American oak; +and the fruit, from the kernel of which, being first dried in the sun, +the butter is prepared by boiling the kernel in water, has somewhat the +appearance of a Spanish olive. The kernel is enveloped in a sweet pulp, +under a thin green rind; and the butter produced from it, besides the +advantage of its keeping the whole year without salt; is whiter, firmer, +and, to my palate, of a richer flavour, than the best butter I ever +tasted made from cows' milk. The growth and preparation of this +commodity seem to be among the first objects of African industry in this +and the neighbouring states; and it constitutes a main article of their +inland commerce.—Park's Travels, pp. 202, 203.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PART_II" id="PART_II"></a>II.</h2> + +<h2>NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTIVITY OF M. DE BRISSON</h2> +<h3>IN THE DESERTS OF AFRICA,</h3> +<h3>IN THE YEAR 1785.</h3> + +<p class="center">TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + + +<p>After making several voyages to Africa, which had been attended with +much difficulty, trouble and loss, I received orders, in the month of +June 1785, from Mons. le Marechal de Castries, Minister and Secretary of +the Marine Department, to embark for the island of St Louis, in Senegal, +in the Ship St Catherine, Captain le Turc commander, the same officer +who gained so great a character last war, when commander of the +Flessinguois.</p> + +<p>Having examined all the coasts from France to the Canary Islands, on the +10th of July following, we passed between these isles and that of Palma, +about three o'clock in the afternoon.</p> + +<p>Previous to our leaving France, I had taken care to apprise the Captain +of the danger to which we should be exposed, in these latitudes, from +the violence of the currents. I remarked to him, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> every time I had +passed that way, I found cause to fear our being windbound on the coasts +of Barbary. This advice, the result of experience, should have met with +attention from Captain le Turc; I therefore again repeated it, the +moment I perceived the sea began to assume a clearer tinge, and inquired +if he did not intend to sound. <i>What are you afraid of?</i> said he, <i>the +land! we are more than eighty leagues from it.</i></p> + +<p>Allow me here to express my disapprobation of that immoderate +self-conceit and confidence, for which the captains of trading vessels, +especially those who visit these coasts, are so remarkable. However +important an advice may be, they are not disposed to pay any regard to +it; and of whatever kind the impending dangers appear, so much +confidence have they in their own abilities, that they are better +pleased to repair damage than prevent it.</p> + +<p>The under captain made me a very similar reply with his superior. Alas! +too soon they experimentally found my fears were far from groundless!</p> + +<p>At midnight, I was awakened by a violent motion of the ship, and, +thinking we were aground, I immediately leaped on deck. Judge my +surprise, when I observed a kind of creek formed by the rocks. The +mariners were all sound asleep. I quickly awaked them:—<i>Save +yourselves</i>, cried I, <i>we are near the shore!</i> The captain got up in +great consternation; and in his alarm, in which his officers partook, +ordered them to steer towards the rocks. The vessel thus directed, and +hurried at the same time by the force of contending currents, struck +thrice on the sands, and remained immoveable.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a horrid cry was heard; the masts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> were shaken; and the sails +being violently shattered, were torn to pieces. The terror became +universal, and the cries of the mariners were blended with the horrid +noise of the roaring waves, enraged as it were that their course should +be stopped by the rocks and the vessel, between which they were to pass. +So great was the consternation that no one thought of doing any thing +for his preservation. O, my wife!—O, my children!—they cry to one +another, raising their hands to heaven. Meantime, they cut the masts by +the board, in order, if possible, to right the ship. Vain trouble—the +cabin is already filled with water.</p> + +<p>In this dismal situation, I made up to the Captain, who, in his +perplexity, could pay attention to nothing. It was but eighteen months +before, that Captain Cassin had experienced a similar accident near Cape +Blanc. In his desperation, he had occasioned the loss of many unhappy +wretches by blowing out his own brains. I began to fear that Captain le +Turc might act in the same manner, and that we should lose him too. I +therefore besought him to have patience, and endeavoured to raise his +spirits and courage, but in vain. We had without doubt perished, if M. +Yan, his first lieutenant, M. Suret, a passenger, three English sailors +and some others, encouraged by my example, had not assisted in throwing +over the long boat into the sea, and preventing it afterwards from being +broken to pieces against the ship, or sunk. We were compelled to +struggle the whole night with a boisterous sea, in hopes that, when day +appeared, we might effect a landing on the coast, and shun the rocks +which surrounded us on every side.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<p>Having taken every precaution, I went into the boat with a few of the +sailors, and desired they would throw to us some ropes from the ship, to +moor our boat, by which means they might pull the boat again to the +vessel, in case we were lucky enough to get a safe landing. This was the +only method we could think of for preserving the Captain, his mate, and +about three-fourths of the hands, who did not incline to hazard +themselves in the boat, for the first trial.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had we made two strokes with the oars, when the ebbing and +flowing of the waves tore them from the hands of the rowers, and the +boat was overset; the waves parted us, and cast us all on the shore, +except the Sieur Devoise, brother of the Consul of Tripoli, in Syria. I +plunged again into the sea, and was lucky enough, at that instant, to +snatch him from the grave.</p> + +<p>Our unfortunate friends on board the ship, had now no prospect of +assistance from us; but I speedily endeavoured to refresh them with +hope; and for this end again threw myself into the water, accompanied by +Sieur Yan, who always zealously supported me. He soon engaged the rest +to assist us in attempting to recover the boat, which we did with much +difficulty. Our labour was however abundantly repaid, when we had +brought the whole crew safe to land.—Thus did we escape this first +danger, only to fall victims to a second vastly more terrible.</p> + +<p>I inquired at the Captain, at what distance he supposed we were from +Senegal; but his answer was not satisfactory. Ignorant to what hand we +should turn, I informed my companions in misfortune, that I could not +flatter myself with the hopes of conduct<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>ing them to any village of the +tribe of Trargia, where I might perhaps have been known by some Arab who +had relations at the island of St Louis. "In this case," said I, "our +captivity would have been shorter and less rigorous; but I am afraid we +may fall in with some hordes of the tribe of the Ouadelims and +Labdesseba, a ferocious people, who live in a manner truly savage, who +always wander through the deserts, and subsist on the milk of their +camels."</p> + +<p>We had no sooner landed, than I persuaded my companions to ascend the +rocks to discover upon what country Providence had cast us. When we +reached the summit, we perceived a vast plain, covered with white sand, +and interspersed with certain plants, resembling branches of coral. +These plants carry a small grain, of the same colour, and almost the +same shape, with mustard. The Arabians call it Avezoud: they gather it +and make it up into a paste, on which they feast. We observed that the +distant hills were covered with a species of wild fern, which bore the +appearance of an extensive forest.</p> + +<p>In proceeding towards the hills, I found some camel's dung under my +feet, and soon after observed the animals pasturing here and there. +There remained therefore no doubt of the country being inhabited, a +discovery which was very agreeable to us; for although we were entirely +ignorant what sort of people they were into whose hands we had fallen, +we were very happy in the thoughts of approaching some inhabited +village, as hunger began to press very hard. I knew better than any of +them, from former experience, what we had to fear from hunger, and still +more from thirst.</p> + +<p>I was occupied with these dismal reflections,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> when I observed at a +distance some children eagerly gathering together their herds of goats, +and driving them away before them. I instantly concluded that we were +discovered, and that our presence had occasioned some terror amongst +them. The cries of the children spread the alarm to the neighbouring +camps, and the inhabitants very soon appeared coming out to meet us. +When they had observed us a little, they separated from one another, +skipping and bouncing about upon the sand; they covered their faces with +their hands, and screamed out with horrid cries. We had now every reason +to believe these people were acquainted with Europeans. Their gestures, +and operations in order to surround us, bore no favourable aspect. I +therefore charged my unfortunate companions, by all means to keep +together, and to proceed in order, till I should be within hearing of +the natives. In my former voyages to Senegal, I had acquired a few +Arabian words, which I hoped would prove useful on this occasion. First, +then, I fastened a white handkerchief to the top of my cane, in the +manner of a flag. Perhaps, thought I, they may have some acquaintance +with this signal, the rather, if any of them may have seen it at +Senegal, or if they have observed any vessel on their coasts, they may +perhaps conceive that we are unhappy Frenchmen whom shipwreck has thrown +on their coasts.</p> + +<p>When we drew near to the savages, some of our people, among whom were +the first and second lieutenants, went apart from the rest; they were +immediately beset and seized by the collar. It was not till this moment, +that, by the reflection of the sun upon the polished steel of their +poignards, we observed they were armed. Ignorant of this, I had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> +consequently advanced without fear. As the two unhappy men who had been +seized did not appear again, I did what I could to compose my +companions; but my attempts were vain; terror seized them, and they all +began to cry out in despair, and disperse from one another. The Arabs, +armed with great cutlasses and small clubs, fell upon them with +incredible ferocity; and I soon saw some of them lying wounded, and +others stript and naked, stretched out expiring on the sand.</p> + +<p>Amidst this horrid massacre, I observed an unarmed Arab. From his +appearance, I conceived he was one of those who had accompanied Prince +Allicoury, in a former visit which he made to the Isle of St Louis. I +immediately ran up to him, and threw myself into his arms. After +examining me some time, he cast a disdainful look on me, on the Sieur +Devoise, the mate of the ship, and five others of my companions who +never would leave me, sufficient to convince us our situation was not +more favourable than our neighbours. He then took my hand, examined it +attentively, counted my fingers, slipped his hand into mine, and, after +making several motions with his head, he inquired at me, Who are you? +What are you doing here? How came you hither? I traced upon the sand, +the figure of a ship, and by means of a few Arabic words with which I +was acquainted, and my gestures, I succeeded so far as to make him +understand, that I entreated his assistance to conduct us to the place +appointed for us. I also informed him, that I had about me what would +abundantly repay him for his trouble—an argument which I found he more +readily understood, and much more weighty in his mind than any other; +for he immediately en<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>twisted his fingers with mine, to show me that, +from that moment, we became closely united, and upon the spot desired me +to give him the effects of which I had spoken. I then delivered to him +two very elegant watches, one of which was a repeater, with their +chains, a gold buckle for the neckcloth, two pair of silver buckles, a +ring set with diamonds, a goblet and silver cover, and the sum of two +hundred and twenty livres in specie. I easily observed that if the +jewels were acceptable, the silver was much more so. He concealed his +treasure with great care and secrecy in his shirt, which was blue, +promising me at the same time, that he would not forsake me. The +precaution which I had taken to preserve these jewels, in the hope of +gaining, by their means, the good will of any person into whose hands I +should fall, proved in the end a cause of very great regret to me.</p> + +<p>As soon as my Arab had secured his booty, he inquired upon what coast we +had been shipwrecked. I pointed it out to him, and he immediately called +upon some of his people, whom he desired to follow him. From the manner +in which they approached him, I perceived that my protector was a man of +some note; indeed he proved to be their priest, whom they called Talbe.</p> + +<p>Having reached the sea-shore, they began to raise a great shout of joy; +but the jealousy which was visible on their countenances, speedily +damped their spirits. They wished that we would swim to the ship, and +recover all that possibly could be saved; but we excused ourselves, +alleging that we could not swim; and they were thus obliged to go +themselves. It was impossible for those who remained on the shore to +conceal their fear, lest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> their neighbours who swam should be greater +sharers in the spoil than they. The women, in particular, showed +excessive uneasiness on this head.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the news of our shipwreck spread quickly through the country, +and the covetous savages flocked from all quarters, in such numbers, as +could not fail to excite suspicion: they soon came to blows, and several +of them lost their lives. The furious women who could not reach the ship +to pillage, fell upon us, and tore from our backs the few remaining +clothes: they attached themselves particularly to me, because mine had +been better preserved, and therefore merited the preference.</p> + +<p>My master, who was a very great warrior, and who perceived that the +number of Arabs was continually increasing, called two of his friends, +whom he had, very craftily, made sharers with him, in the property of +twelve of the shipwrecked people, who had surrendered themselves to him. +This was the best expedient to form a party, and to preserve the share +which he had in reserve for himself. After having made the necessary +<span title="Transcriber's Note: "arangement" changed to "arrangement"">arrangement</span>, for securing his share of the booty taken from the ship, +and the slaves which he had acquired, he separated us from the crowd, +putting us under shelter to prevent our being insulted. This was a +miserable hut covered with moss, and situated more than a league from +the sea, where we were all lodged, or rather crammed together.</p> + +<p>The first care of our patron was to visit us frequently, fearing that we +should conceal any thing from him. Unhappily for my comrades, they could +get nothing preserved, from the harsh manner in which he treated them. +He stripped them even to their shirt and handkerchief; and gave them to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +understand, if he did it not himself, others would. He seemed inclined +to come to the same extremities with me, but I observed to him that I +had already given him enough; so he left me undisturbed.</p> + +<p>I had not yet learned into what tribe we had fallen. In order therefore +to get information, I addressed myself to our master, with whom I had +the following conversation, partly by words, and partly by signs. "What +is your name, and to what tribe do you belong? and why have you fled +from the companies which are more advanced upon the sea-coast?"—"My +name is Sidy Mahammet del Zouze; my tribe is that of Labdesseba; and I +fled from the Ouadelims, because we could not live on good terms with +them. But as to you, what is your name? and are you brother to these +people?" (pointing to my companions). I answered all his questions; but +was not a little distressed to learn, that we had fallen into the hands +of the fiercest of all the inhabitants of the Arabian Deserts. I +foresaw, from this hour, what distress and uneasiness we were to suffer, +till the time we should be delivered.—Well, then! how shall that be? +Alas, I durst not any longer flatter myself with this idea.</p> + +<p>My fears were too well founded. My master, after having secreted in the +sand the little treasure with which I had enriched him, returned to the +sea-coast, to see what further accrued to him from the pillage of the +ship. During his absence, a troop of the Ouadelims came to attack our +retreat. They plundered, pillaged and ransacked the whole; they seized +us, some by the neck, and others by the hair. Two of them turned to me, +took hold of me by the arms, and threw me sometimes on the one side, and +sometimes on the other. The few clothes I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> had remaining, seemed to be +the object of their jealous fury. Others at the same time running up to +me, surrounded me, lifted me up, and dragged me to a lonely place, and +after having pulled off my shirt and neckcloth, they threw me behind +some heaps of sand. There they committed every sort of outrage on my +person. I thought I was now in my last moments, and expected I should +expire under their blows. The ropes they had prepared to bind me, seemed +to announce death to me. I was thus cruelly perplexed, when one of my +master's associates came running up to us quite out of breath. "Stop," +cried he, "you have committed unheard of enormities in the hut of Sidy +Mahammet, our Talbe. Not satisfied with carrying off his slave, you have +trampled under foot, in your fury, the sacred books of our religion. The +priest enraged at your sacrilegious conduct, has required the old men of +the two parties to assemble, and judge the culprits in open council. +Believe me, returning the slave is the only way you have to appease his +rage, and to prevent the consequences."<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">20</a> This threatening produced +the effect intended by the messenger of Mahammet. I was delivered back +into his hands, by those who had treated me so cruelly after separating +me from my companions. And he carried me immediately away, to deliver me +up to fresh torments.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20" class="fnanchor">20</a> I was not at this time so well acquainted with Arabic as +to understand this conversation, and several others which I will recite; +but after I acquired some knowledge of the language, my master caused me +repeat them to him.</p></div> + +<p>Nouegem (this was the name of my deliverer) conducted me straight to the +place where the coun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>cil sat, and when he had presented me, he thus +addressed them. "Behold the slave of Mahammet, I have followed him the +whole day, not to lose sight of him; and after many fatigues and +dangers, I have delivered him from the hands of those who had carried +him away. I demand, as a reward for my trouble, that he shall be +numbered with my slaves. I have a better right to him, as I have seen +him deliver to his master a great many articles, which appeared to me to +be very valuable." I immediately saw a multitude of women and children, +who assembled around me. They examined me attentively, and cried aloud +all at once, "Es Rey!"</p> + +<p>Sidy Mahammet, enraged at what Nouegem had revealed concerning the +treasure, as well as the pretensions which he had so boldly advanced, +cast upon him a contemptuous look, a dreadful frown of rage, and +immediately replied, "Whether this Christian be Rey (King) or not, he is +mine; he threw himself into my arms of his own accord; I have promised +to protect him, and conduct him to Allicoury. I have pledged my word, +and I hope this tribunal will know how to make a distinction in favour +of my rights, between a man of my character and a man like Nouegem, who +deserves the severest punishment from me." One may form some idea, from +this discourse, of the pride of Arabian priests.</p> + +<p>"Since you make such pretensions," the Arab quickly replied, "and he +cannot be mine, he shall perish by my hand!" So saying, he lifted his +poignard to strike me. I stood trembling under the threatening sword of +this barbarian; but my master, without loss of time, threw upon me a +kind of chapelet<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">21</a> of incredible length; and then took up <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>a little +book, which hung by his girdle; at the same instant, the women, rushing +towards me, drew me from under the hand of Nouegem, and put me under +those of the enraged priest, as they all dreaded, he was to pronounce an +anathema on his opponent. The council in a body approved of this act of +authority of the Talbe. They laughed very much at the women's behaviour, +of which they at the same time approved.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21" class="fnanchor">21</a> The Talbes cord, on which are strung 115 small black +beads. These they keep as the Catholics do their chapelets.</p></div> + +<p>At some distance from the place where this scene had been transacted, I +found my comrades, who never expected to see me again. But, Great God! +in what situation did I find them!—they now began to feel the first +horrors of famine. They had eaten nothing for two days; nor was my own +case better; but the awful dilemma, into which I had been thrown, so +agitated my spirits, that I had even ceased to feel the hunger which +preyed on me.</p> + +<p>In a little time, when I became somewhat calmer, I reflected on the +danger, which I had so fortunately escaped and my mind was so much +affected that I could not refrain from tears. I endeavoured to conceal +from those around me, this evidence of my sensibility and distress; but +some of the women beside me, observed it, and in place of being affected +with my situation, they threw sand into my eyes, to dry, as they said, +my eyelids. Happily the night, that screened me from their view, saved +me from the rage of these monsters.</p> + +<p>We had been now three days in slavery, and had as yet got nothing to +support us, but a little <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>meal, not more corrupted by sea-water, than by +a mixture of barley meal, which had been long kept in goats skins; but +even this wretched repast was interrupted by alarming cries, which we +overheard at a distance.</p> + +<p>One of Sidy Mahammet's friends ran up to him, and advised him to hide +himself very quickly, because the Ouadelims were arming from every +quarter to carry off their seizure. "Fly with your slaves," said he, +"whilst I gather together some of ours, and at break of day we will +proceed on our march to regain our habitation." I have since learned +that the tribe of Labdesseba, had only come to the sea-coast about three +days before our shipwreck, to gather together the wild grain for the +support of their families. They appointed the place of rendezvous; +meantime, we were to conceal ourselves behind the hillocks of sand, +where we should remain, till some Arabs of another tribe, but equally +interested in preserving their booty, should come to join us, and +reinforce our troop. A guide, who should go before us, was to place at +little distances, small pyramids of stones, to point out to us the road +which we should keep, and to prevent our falling into the midst of some +hostile village, more especially of the Ouadelims. The fact was, these +people are so avaricious, whether friends or enemies, there is equal +cause to be suspicious of either. At break of day, all those who had +Christian slaves joined us, and we all proceeded on our march for the +interior parts of the country, where the families of our respective +masters resided.</p> + +<p>It is <span title="Transcriber's Note: "impossbile" changed to "impossible"">impossible</span> to describe our sufferings on this journey, especially +from thirst. We had such dif<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>ficulty to move our tongue, that we +trembled to ask the smallest question. We were obliged to follow the +track of the camels, by which our march was hastened; and dreading our +being carried off, our masters caused us to make so many different +counter-marches, that we were fifteen days in reaching their +habitations—a journey, which we could have accomplished in five, had we +followed the direct road.</p> + +<p>After having climbed over mountains of a prodigious height, which are +wholly covered with small pebbles of a greyish colour, as sharp as +flint-stones, we descended into a sandy plain, overspread with thorns +and thistles. There we slackened our pace; the soles of my feet were +bleeding so much, that it was not in my power to walk any further. My +master then desired me to mount behind him on his camel, but this +attention on his part was far from giving any ease to me, but on the +contrary proved a source of inexpressible torture. The camel is +naturally a very dull animal, with a very hard trot. As I was naked, I +could not defend myself from the rubbing of the hair of the animal upon +me, in such a manner as quite flead me in a very short time. The blood +ran copiously down the flanks of the animal—a spectacle which, so far +from exciting the compassion, or moving the pity of these barbarians, +only contributed to their diversion. They made game of my sufferings, +and to heighten the jest, pushed forward their animals. It would +certainly have issued in incurable wounds, if I had not adopted a +scheme, very violent though necessary, to slip off and walk on the sand. +I received no other damage in dismounting, than my body<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> being +universally jagged with the thistles and thorns with which I have +already mentioned the ground was covered.</p> + +<p>As night approached, we observed a very thick smoke. I supposed we were +drawing near to some village, where we might procure something to eat, +or rather to drink; but was soon convinced it was only some thick +bushes, where our guide had taken up lodgings. I therefore stretched +myself out behind a bush to wait for death; and had scarcely lain down, +when an Arab of our company came to me, ordering me to get up, and +assist him in unloading his camel. I was very much enraged at this +order, and answered him accordingly without ceremony. He immediately +drew from under my head, a little old sailor's hat, which had been given +me in place of my own. He spit upon it as a mark of contempt, and, +seizing me violently by the arms, he drew me towards the camels. When he +thus laid hands on my body, I could no longer command myself. I +immediately struck him a blow on <span title="Transcriber's Note: "the the" changed to "the"">the</span> face; then, having disengaged +myself from his hands, I seized a baton which he had armed with a lance, +and run up to strike him; but, running away, he escaped from my rage.</p> + +<p>I at the same time observed my master advancing to my assistance; but as +I did not know his design, I cried out to him, that if he intended to +avenge his comrade, he would find me determined to resist, rather than +suffer myself to be beat any more. My determination and threatenings +made him laugh; notwithstanding, he relieved me of my uneasiness, +assuring me that I had nothing to fear. This adventure served likewise +to convince me, that by firm behaviour, I might shun much of that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> bad +treatment to which I would be exposed by showing any timidity; and I +experienced in the sequel that this idea was well founded. The Arabs +show their courage most when they meet with no opposition.</p> + +<p>Meantime I observed they were making preparations which very much +alarmed me. They made red hot some stones in a great fire, then, raising +up a great stone which lay at the side of a bush, they dug a hole in the +earth, and the Arabs, repeating my name, raised great bursts of +laughter. At last they called upon me, and desired me to approach the +hole which they had digged. The man I had stuck, made several different +signs with his hand. He crossed and recrossed himself on the neck, as if +he meant to cut it, hereby signifying to me, that I would be cut there +myself. Notwithstanding my resolution to defend myself, all these +gestures displeased me not a little. But what was my surprise, when I +saw them draw up out of the the ditch, as I approached it, a goat's skin +bottle full of water, a small leather bag, which was full of barley +meal, and a goat just killed! The sight of these provisions perfectly +restored my tranquillity, though I remained ignorant to what purposes +the stones which were on the fire were to be applied. At length I saw +them fill with water a great wooden vessel, into which they turned the +barley meal, while the red hot stones thrown into the water served to +make it boil. It was thus our masters dressed a sort of broth, which +they then kneaded with their hands, and eat unchewed. As for us slaves, +we had nothing to eat but the same kind of paste. The Arabs threw it to +us upon a kind of carpet, which our patron generally spread<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> below his +feet, when he repeated his prayers, and which he employed as a mattress +during the night. After having kneaded this leaven a long time, he gave +it to me, that I might divide it among my companions. One can hardly +conceive how disagreeable this leaven was to the taste. The water with +which it was mixed had been procured upon the sea-shore, and had been +preserved afterwards in the skin of a goat newly killed. To prevent it +from corrupting, they had mixed a kind of pitch with it, which rendered +the smell of it doubly noxious. The same water was given us to drink, +and, bad as it was, our allowance of it was extremely small.</p> + +<p>The Arab whom I had struck, observing that I was complaining, gave me +the remainder of his broth, and told me that to-morrow we should eat the +goat that had been killed for us. This he made me understand by signs. I +informed him, partly by signs and partly by words, how much I was +surprised to have found these provisions. He took the same method of +telling me, that the guide, who went before us, had procured them for us +from a village in the country, and that he had concealed them under +ground, to keep them from the sight of the Moors, in case they should +pass that way. These particulars surprised me, though I confess, it was +still more astonishing to me, to find the resentment of this Arab turned +into acts of kindness and complaisance. Our repast being ended, each of +us lay down to sleep behind a bush.</p> + +<p>At break of day, we heard the voice of our masters, ordering us to +gather together the camels and load them. After doing as desired, we +pursued our journey, carrying with us the small remainder of our +provisions. It was nearly mid-day when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> we stopped in a great plain, +where we did not find so much as a single tree to screen us from the +sun, which darted right upon our heads. There we were employed in +unloading the camels, and in pulling up roots to make a fire, which was +a very painful operation, as all the trees, roots and herbs, were +thorny. When the fire had thoroughly heated the sand, the goat was +wholly covered with it; and we were employed in keeping fuel to the +fire, while our masters regaled themselves with the raw fat of the goat: +they appeared to consider this as a very great rarity. So soon as the +meat was baked, and withdrawn from the fire, our Arabians, without +allowing us time to clean it from the sand, devoured it with incredible +voracity. After having thoroughly gnawed the bones, they made use of +their nails for scraping off any flesh which remained upon them; they +then threw them to us, with orders to eat expeditiously, and reload our +camels, so that our journey might not be hindered.</p> + +<p>The sun was just about setting, when, by the reflection of its rays (for +in this country the sun sets every day in a red sky), we discovered +tents scattered up and down upon a little eminence, and flocks which had +come there for pasturage.</p> + +<p>The inhabitants of the village came out in throngs to meet us; but in +place of showing us any of the pleasant duties of hospitality, they +loaded us with injuries, and made us suffer very inhuman treatment. Two +of my comrades were brought into a very pitiable situation. The women +particularly, much more fierce than the men, took delight in tormenting +us. Our masters could not make any great resistance; they appeared; on +the contrary,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> much better pleased that they should teaze us, than +meddle with the lading of the camels.</p> + +<p>While I was at some little distance from mine, I suddenly noticed a man, +who aimed a blow at me with a double-barrelled gun.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">22</a> I presented him +my breast, and desired him to strike. The firmness of my countenance, +with which he had been doubtless little accustomed, astonished him. This +served the more to strengthen my opinion, that one might impose on these +people, by assuming an undaunted appearance. As I approached to this +man, a stone thrown from an unknown hand, but which I supposed to be +that of a woman, struck me on the head. I lost recollection for a +little; but when I recovered, I exclaimed in a very violent rage, and +demanded satisfaction with vehement cries. I found this method very +serviceable in striking terror among these <i>children</i>. The savages who +were gathered around us, not knowing the cause of my exclamations, began +to run away. Meantime one of them, before he went off, gave me a blow +with the butt-end of a gun, which made me vomit blood. If I could have +discovered the fellow who struck me, I should certainly have avenged +myself. Reduced to complaining, I did it with such vehemence that I +raised the curiosity of many of the monsters. They inquired of my master +who I was? "He is," answered he, "a very rich Christian, and possessed +of a great quantity of guns, balls, flint-stones <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>and scarlet cloth.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">23</a> +That you may understand, what a man of consequence he is, we had access +to see that he was very richly clothed, and that his linen was perfumed +with a very agreeable odour;<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">24</a> and to know, that Prince Allicoury and +all his retinue had paid him a visit."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22" class="fnanchor">22</a> Several years since, some vessels were lost upon this +coast, which were engaged in a treaty with the Negroes. The Arabs +carried off the cargoes, so that we need not be surprised that they had +guns of different kinds among them.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23" class="fnanchor">23</a> He believed that all the provisions which were in the +King's magazine belonged to me.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24" class="fnanchor">24</a> This odour was nothing more than lavender-water, with +which my linen had been sprinkled.</p></div> + +<p>I believe I escaped much bad usage from his saying that Prince Allicoury +had paid me a visit. To enforce this idea still more, I counterfeited +his buffoons, whom they called <i>Egeums</i>. This kind of farce so much +pleased my master, that he made me repeat it as often as he found +opportunity. He made use of this stratagem to divert those among them, +whom he suspected as inclined to pilfer, and thus cunningly occupied +their attention. No sooner did he make known my talent for imitating the +<i>Egeums</i>, than I was surrounded by men, women, and children, who +constantly bawled out to me <i>ganne</i>, (sing then). I had no sooner +finished, than I was obliged to begin again; and this I was constrained +to do, not only to amuse them, but (why should I not own it?) to procure +a tasting of camel's milk—as a reward for this my mean buffoonery.</p> + +<p>We rested one day in this village, where the inhabitants, however ill +they behaved at first, did not fail to give us provisions for three or +four days. The plains which we passed over in proceeding towards the +east country, were covered with small stones as white as snow, round and +flat as a lentil. As we proceeded, we perceived a dull sound <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>under our +feet, as if the earth had been dug out below us. This country presented +no variety to us; the ground was a continued plain, without producing +even the smallest plant. The atmosphere was loaded with a reddish +vapour. The whole country appeared as if filled with flaming volcanoes. +The small stones pricked us, as if they had been sparks of fire. Neither +birds nor insects were to be seen in the air. The profound silence which +reigned was something frightful. If at any time a gentle breeze arose, +the traveller immediately found himself affected with an extreme +<span title="Transcriber's Note: "langour" changed to "languor"">languor</span>, the lips with chopping, the skin with a burning heat, and the +whole body covered with small pimples, which occasioned a very sharp and +disagreeable smarting. Our guides, who had gone far up into the country, +to shun some tribes whom they had much cause to fear, were not luckier +than we in escaping these disagreeable inconveniences, which we suffered +in this part of our journey, where the fiercer animals would not enter. +The rays of the sun darted upon the stones, and I feared, every minute, +that their scorching reflection would have finished me.</p> + +<p>We passed through this vast plain into a second, where the winds had +furrowed the sand, which was of a reddish colour, at little distances. A +few sweet smelling plants grew on the top of the furrows, which were +immediately devoured by our camels: they were no less famished than +ourselves. We had the happiness, on quitting this sandy plain, to enter +into a valley surrounded with mountains, where the soil was white and +slimy. At the foot of some tall shrubs, of which the branches were +artfully formed into an arbour, we found some water, of which we stood +in great need. We there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>fore drank of it with much pleasure, although it +was very bitter, covered with green moss, and of a noxious smell.</p> + +<p>We found some compensation however, in the evening, by falling in with a +horde, which was encamped at some leagues distance. They received us +very kindly, and pointed out to us some villages, where they informed us +we could receive all necessary assistance for prosecuting our journey to +the residence of our patrons. This was an event particularly fortunate +for us, as our guides had lost the way.</p> + +<p>My master's brother-in-law was one of the chiefs of this village, and +paid particular attention to all the slaves. He gave us some camel's +milk, and flesh of ostriches dried in the sun, and chopped small. I know +not why, but he soon showed a partiality towards me; and accordingly, +coming up to me, he said, "Unfortunate Christian, my brother has been +indebted to me for a long time, if you will put yourself under my care, +I will settle the bargain with him." This proposal made me tremble; it +appeared to assure me of a long captivity. I believed so certainly that +mine was to be short, that I ran immediately to my master, to prevent +his agreeing to his brother-in-law's proposition. I entreated him by no +means to consent to any terms. I made him understand that he would get +more for my ransom, than his brother would give him. "Set yourself at +ease," replied he, "you shall not leave me till you go either to Senegal +or Morocco, and that will be very soon." This hope filled my heart with +inexpressible joy. Meantime, notwithstanding the gratitude which I felt +towards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> Sidy Sellem, his proposal did not fail to give me considerable +uneasiness. He perceived it, and told me, that he would make me repent +not having accepted his offer. I attributed this threatening to his +desire of possessing me; but I found, in the sequel, he was as good as +his word.</p> + +<p>After three days rest among the Arabs of the tribe of <i>Roussye</i>, we +resumed our journey, in order to get home to the families of our +conductors as quickly as possible; though it was not till after sixteen +days, in which we endured much fatigue and distress, that we arrived, +extenuated and reduced to skin and bone.</p> + +<p>At break of day, we discovered a hamlet that seemed to promise a very +pleasant dwelling. Several tents pitched among thick bushy trees, +numberless flocks feeding along the sides of the hills, made us conceive +it to be an asylum of happiness and peace; but upon closer inspection, +the appearance of it was much altered. The trees, whose beautiful green +foliage we had admired, proved to be nothing more than old gummy stumps, +with their few branches, entwisted with thorns; so that their +inaccessible shade spread out on every side. They very soon after +observed us upon the declivity of a little hill, which led us to the +dwelling of our masters.</p> + +<p>Several black slaves, who had commonly the charge of the camels, came +out to meet their masters, to kiss their feet, and inquire the news of +their health. At a greater distance, the children made the air resound +with their cries of joy, and their wives stood erect, as a mark of +respect, at their tent-doors, waiting their arrival. As soon as they +approached, they advanced with a submissive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> air, put their right hand +upon the head of their husband; then, having kissed them, fell down +prostrate before them. This ceremony over, they regarded us first with a +look of curiosity, and then proceeded to abuse us. Not content with +that, they spat in our face, and threw stones at us. The children, +following their example, pinched us, tore our hair, and scratched us +with their nails. Their cruel mothers called out first to one, and then +to another, encouraging them, amusing themselves by causing them to +torment us. Unhappy as we were, exhausted with fatigue, hunger, and +thirst, we looked with impatience towards the hour of our arrival, +little expecting the fresh trials which awaited us.</p> + +<p>Meantime, our masters made a division of their slaves. When mine had +received the caresses of all his family, I inquired of him, which of the +women who surrounded him was his favourite. He pointed her out to me. I +approached, and presented her with two handfuls of cloves, which her +husband had very carefully kept, and wished me to present her with, in +order to gain her good wishes. I learned that Moorish women were very +fond of odours, and in a very particular manner of cloves. She received +my present with an insulting haughtiness, and pushed me into the tent +with disdain. Immediately after, this woman, the most wicked of all whom +I had known, hated by all her companions, such was the blackness of her +character, came to order us (viz. Sieurs Devoise, Baudre and myself, who +had fallen to the share of her husband) to unload the camels, to clean a +kind of kettle, and to gather roots for making a fire. While she was +thus employed in giving her orders,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> her dear husband was lying fast +asleep on the knees of one of his concubines.</p> + +<p>The hope of soon regaining my freedom, gave me the necessary spirit to +support me under the hardships which this wicked woman made me suffer. I +therefore went out to make faggots; but what was my despair to find, on +my return, my two companions lying felled with blows, and stretched out +on the sand. They had been thus abused, because their strength was +totally exhausted, and they could not execute the task which she had +enjoined them. I awakened my master with my redoubled cries; and +although I could not speak his language well, I made shift to support +with him the following conversation:—"Did you bring us hither to kill +us by the hands of this cruel woman? Remember the promise which you made +me. Conduct me without delay to Senegal or to Morocco; otherwise, I +assure you, that though I should perish, I will cause to be taken from +you, though I cannot do it myself, all the treasure which I have given +you; I will certainly find a master who will treat me with more humanity +than you have done."</p> + +<p>My rage was excessive. Many of the neighbours, witnesses of my +transport, were gathering about us. This was very disagreeable to my +master, who feared lest I should cause him to deliver back the valuable +effects I had given him. He came to me, took me in his arms, and pushed +me hastily into his tent, and entreated me not to make such a noise. He +then presented me with a bowl of milk, "Carry that," said I, "to my +companions, who are expiring for want." He assured me they should have +some, and besought me to be quiet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> I showed him my arms all torn and +running with blood. "Recollect," said I, in my bad language, "how, when +we were shipwrecked, you cried out, beholding my hands, <i>these hands +have never been accustomed to hard labour</i>; and immediately you engage +me in the most painful employment. Your countrymen experience in my +country a very <span title="Transcriber's Note: "diffent" changed to "different"">different</span> treatment." He seemed astonished to learn that +the Moors ever came to France. "We shall talk of this another time," +replied he; "in the mean time, make yourself easy. I will take care of +you as my own son." Then, addressing himself to his wife, "I forbid you +to exact from him the least service which may be painful to him, and I +at same time prohibit him from obeying you in it. See that some meal be +boiled for the slaves; I will return ere long to see if my orders have +been executed." From this hour the favourite vowed implacable hatred +against me.</p> + +<p>Meantime, the month of August drew towards a close, and no preparations +were making for our journey. I therefore inquired at Sidy Mahammet, when +he proposed to conduct me to Senegal. He told me, that he was in search +of two very strong and vigorous camels, that could endure the fatigues +of this journey, and that we would set out when he could procure them. I +entreated he would make as little delay as possible, as the nights were +now turning cool. The dews began also to be so heavy, as to wet us, in +our retreat behind the bushes, where we spent the night. It is true, +that even the dew proved serviceable in one case, as, by gathering it in +handfuls upon our naked bodies, it served to quench our thirst, which +the coldness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> of the night did not extinguish; and we preferred this +drink to our urine, a resource to which we were often reduced. I spoke a +second time to our master on the subject of our journey, who answered me +in such a manner as convinced me it was not from want of inclination he +delayed. "Think you," said he, "that amidst such excessive heat, we can +possibly travel without a store of provisions, especially water? We have +much cause to fear, that, on our approaching Senegal, the river which +surrounds it will have overflowed the plains; we will also be in danger +from the Arabs, of the tribe of Trargea, who are our enemies. I tell you +the truth," continued he, "we will be obliged to wait till the month of +October; about that time, the rains will water the deserts, and afford +us pasturage for our camels; it will be impossible for us otherwise to +subsist during so long a journey." I fully perceived the justice of his +reasoning, and resolved therefore to have recourse to patience.</p> + +<p>The heat was so excessive, that the flocks, half-starved, could find no +pasture, and the sheep and goats returned in the evening with their dugs +almost empty; and yet it was their milk and that of the camels which was +to supply food for a numerous family. One may judge from this, how much +our portion was diminished. As we were Christians, even the dogs fared +better; and it was in basins destined for their use that we received our +allowance!</p> + +<p>One day the keeper of the camels complained grievously that he was +ashamed to serve a master who was so weak as not to keep his slaves to +their duty. His wife did not fail to support this com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>plaint in such a +manner, that her husband, long accustomed to be her dupe, persuaded me, +that, to prevent murmuring, he would appoint Baudre to that charge, as +he was the youngest. Soon after I was obliged to take an equal share of +the sheep and goats. The Sieur Devoise, on account of his age and bad +health, was exempted from every sort of servitude, but his situation did +not free him from cause of complaint, as he was constantly exposed to +the savage treatment of the cruel Arabs. I happily escaped this by my +new employment.</p> + +<p>One day, as I was returning with my flock, one of my sheep brought forth +a young one upon the side of a hill. I took it in my arms, and proceeded +to carry it, with equal haste and care, to my master's favourite. I +presented it to her when I reached home, supposing that she would +receive it with the same pleasure which she had lately shown on a +similar occasion. I asked her at the same time, if she would give me the +first milk of the mother, as it was customary to give it to those who +had the charge of the flocks. By way of reply, she threw a great knife +at my legs, and drove me from the tent with disdain, and loading me with +abuse. Her husband, who had been witness of her brutality, came to me +with an assurance, that, by way of recompense, he should appoint me a +very large share of the milk. I had uniformly given credit to his +promises, but how much was I astonished, when, in passing by the back of +the tent, I heard that rogue joining his wife in her laugh at the stroke +which she had given me. I was provoked; but my anger was not a little +increased in the evening, when I began to seek the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> milk which had been +promised to me, my mistress came to me in a rage, and took it out of my +hands to give the half of it to her dog.</p> + +<p>It now drew near the end of October, and a single drop of rain had not +as yet fallen. My situation became every day more and more disagreeable. +I had no sort of clothing, but a piece of packcloth about my middle, and +was thus wholly abandoned to nature.—Feeling minds!—<i>convey yourselves +for a moment to my desert<span title="Transcriber's Note: ".!" changed to "!"">!</span></i></p> + +<p>The plains and valleys were entirely burnt up, and nothing remained for +the nourishment of the cattle. The season was far advanced; it was now +the month of December, a period when the rains usually were over till +the next October. For three years this bounty of heaven had been +withheld from the inhabitants of these deserts. We were now entering +upon the fourth year of drought, to be exposed to the most horrid +distress, and almost inevitable death. The desolation was become +universal, when an Arab from a distant part of the country came to +inform them, that abundant showers had covered several cantons where he +resided. Joy then succeeded to fear and distress. Every one struck his +tent, and all set out together, to seek a habitation in these newly +watered districts. This was the thirtieth time they had changed their +habitation, and renewed our fatigue in consequence; for these hordes +never remain above twelve or fifteen days in the same encampment. I was +continually employed in lifting and cleaning the tents, and had the +charge of the baggage. Often they compelled me to carry very heavy +burdens, in order to ease the camels. I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> too happy when the flocks +followed in pretty good order, and did not give me the trouble of +gathering them together.</p> + +<p>My unfortunate companions were so exhausted, that they were able to do +nothing; the consequence was, that the whole drudgery fell on me; and I +shared with them the little food which I procured, by labouring to make +myself useful; for our master gave them nothing to eat.</p> + +<p>At length we arrived at the desired place, where I hoped soon to regain +my freedom; but my master, who had hitherto connected the most +persuasive language with the blackest treachery, ceased to dissemble +longer, and made me endure the most horrid tyranny.</p> + +<p>We were now encamped upon a sandy soil, so very moist, that a gentle +pressure of the body made the water spring up around us in considerable +quantities. Happy would we now have been with an osier netting to lie +on, or a coarse carpet of wool, with long hair, to cover us; but these +conveniences the Arabs themselves are strangers, to, except those who +are rich. During the night, a carpet served for a covering to a whole +family. "Sidy Mahammet," said I to my master, "See, is it possible I can +long exist in such places? Allow me a covering under the tent. I suffer +much from the cold at night, and the ground on which you make me lie is +very wet. I have made your fortune, and you promised in return to use me +as your son, yet you abandon me!"—"It is true," replied he, "I did +promise you my friendship, and I will at this moment give you a +particular proof of it. Your situation, you say, is unhappy, but it will +be much better than you imagine. Tell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> me, what is the destiny to which +you are appointed? Fire and flame await you, to torment you through all +eternity. Have you considered well your religion?" I quickly replied, +and pointed out to him its excellency. He heard me for some time, and +then went away, telling me, he preferred a bowl of churned milk to all +the absurdities of which I had been talking.—Alas! there is no kind of +torment, which this fanatical priest would not have made me endure, to +compel me to embrace his religion.</p> + +<p>Messieurs Devoise and Baudre, who had heard all this conversation, +(which I have here much abridged,) assured me it was very satisfactory. +They promised themselves some mitigation of their sufferings. The hour +of milking the camels being come, they called me to receive my own and +my neighbour's portion. When I saw our portions were somewhat larger +than usual, I concluded it was the good effect which my morality had +produced; but, on tasting it, we discerned that the increase of quantity +was owing to rain water, of which they had now doubled our dose, so that +we had nothing but whitened water to support us. This soon weakened us +to such a degree, that we were reduced to the hard necessity of seeking +our meat with the beasts. The wild plants, which they were trampling +under foot, with raw snails, were our only nourishment from this time, +till the time we regained our liberty. Meanwhile, he continued to +prepare new labours for me. I now had the charge of putting the camels +in the plough, labouring the ground, and sowing it; while my master, not +content with employing me in his own service, hired me out to other +Arabs for a morsel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> of milk. I would certainly have sunk under this +fatigue, if, from time to time, I had not found opportunity to steal +some handfuls of barley. It was by this theft (which I am satisfied was +a lawful one) that I preserved my life.</p> + +<p>"You see," said I to my master, "with what submission I labour with all +my power. I make faggots, churn the butter, keep the flocks, pull up +roots, prepare the camels hair, which your wife is to spin, labour the +ground, and in short do every thing you exact of me. I have enriched +you, and you will not vouchsafe to give me a few rags to cover me." +Other Arabs, more compassionate, and always jealous of his being in +possession of my riches, which they valued at an infinite price, threw +the same in his teeth one day. This determined him to call me to him, +when he asked me in their presence, if there was any person at Mogador +(which they called Soira) who would pay a good ransom for us? I told him +they would to his content. "In that case," replied he, "there is a +Jewish merchant who passes this way to-morrow, ask paper from him, and I +will permit you to write to those from whom you expect assistance." The +Jewish merchant<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">25</a> passed accordingly, and I wrote a letter, which I +addressed to the Consul at Soira, or in case of absence, to his +representative. I entreated him to have a feeling with our calamities, +and to send us speedy relief. I mentioned to him the best and most +certain method of sending to seek us out, and the only one to make use +of to procure us <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>ready deliverance.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">26</a> This letter I committed to the +hands of the Israelite, and I appeared to myself as if already at +liberty—too flattering hope!</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25" class="fnanchor">25</a> The Jews born in the Desert live in much the same manner +with the Arabs; but those who dwell in the towns are more rigid +observers of the law of Moses.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26" class="fnanchor">26</a> When the French government, or any other, get information +of any vessel being lost upon these coasts, they should direct their +agent, either at Mogador or at Tangiers, to make application to a Jew +named Aaron, who lives at Guadnum. He employs emissaries through all the +different parts of Africa to buy up wrecks. This advice, dictated by +humanity, is the best to be followed in such cases.</p></div> + +<p>A young Moorish girl, whose flocks fed often near mine, relieved me of +my mistake, and made me acquainted with the character of Sidy Mahammet. +"If he thought he durst," said she to me, "he would not treat you any +better than he does your companions; nay, perhaps, he himself would take +you to a private place and kill you, so little would he be startled at +committing a crime; but then he is afraid of his two brothers, who have +a very strong attachment to you. If he promise you liberty, it is only +to amuse you. He durst not even send you away, for fear that Muley +Adaram would cause him to be arrested, and take from him all that you +have given him, perhaps even his life."</p> + +<p>This Muley Adaram<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">27</a> was a son of the Emperor. Having heard vague +reports of the effects <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>which I had brought with me, he supposed that I +was a very rich Christian; and, in consequence, travelled more than a +hundred leagues, in order to make a purchase of me. I was, however, very +happy that I had not fallen into the hands of a prince, so cruel as to +revolt against his own father.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27" class="fnanchor">27</a> The Sieur Soret, one of my secretaries, Pinjon, surgeon of +the ship, the two friends, Brissiere and John, seamen of the same ship, +were made to suffer from this barbarous prince the most cruel treatment. +Sometimes they were beaten with a baton or club, at other times their +bodies were torn with the strokes of a poignard. Burning firebrands and +red hot iron were sometimes employed in tormenting them. It is possible +to bring the Sieur Soret from Nantz, the wounds of whose body will +attest the truth of what I have advanced.</p></div> + +<p>This conversation of the Moorish girl extinguished every ray of hope, +that I should ever regain my native country. My mind was much agitated, +and I sank into a state of depression and melancholy. Ever after that +day, I experienced continually fresh causes of distress.</p> + +<p>I now no more met with any of my unfortunate companions in the fields. I +much regretted the loss of the Captain's company. I had been accustomed +to it, and found a kind of consolation in talking over with him our +hardships, and the hope of soon being again blest with the sight of our +own country. One afternoon, that the coolness of the air had led my +camels to stray a little farther from home than usual, I was obliged to +follow them to a neighbouring hamlet.—My God! what a horrid spectacle +there presented itself!—the unhappy Captain, whom it was scarcely +possible to recollect, except by the colour of his body, lying stretched +out on the sand. He had one of his hands in his mouth, which extreme +weakness had doubtless prevented his devouring. Hunger had so altered +his appearance, that he now presented to the eye only a horrid carcass. +All his features were wholly effaced.</p> + +<p>A few days after, the under captain (Baudre) fell down quite exhausted +behind a green bush,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> being left a prey to the attacks of a monstrous +serpent. The famished ravens frightened away the venomous animal with +their cries, then falling upon the dying man, they tore him into pieces. +Four savages, far more cruel monsters than the furious reptile, were +witnesses of this scene, but left the poor unhappy man to struggle in +vain. I came running up to endeavour to save him, if in time; the +barbarians stopped and insulted me, and then told me, "<i>The Christian +was going to broil in flames.</i>" I left this place of horror, not knowing +where to bend my steps. My camels and sheep directed me. I would have +been incapable of reconducting them to their fold. It is impossible to +form an idea of the sensations by which I was agitated at this time. My +tears fell abundantly, while the most dismal forebodings increased my +grief. When I arrived at the tent, I no more knew what I was doing. I +constantly imagined I saw the carnivorous birds flying through the air, +with pieces of the flesh of my unfortunate companion in their bills. My +master, astonished at my disordered situation, inquired at me what was +the matter with me, and why I changed the bindings of the camels. "Go," +replied I, "to a little distance there,—go and behold what have been +the consequences of your cruelty, and that of your wife. You have +suffered my comrade to perish for want, because, by his ill health, he +was not able to labour; you refused him milk to support him, when his +situation was such as demanded in a particular manner your help!" While +I thus spoke, I concealed my tears, which would only have afforded a +laugh to these monsters. They ordered me to go and search the girdle, +all co<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>vered with the blood of the unhappy victim of their barbarity. I +was struck with indignation at a proposal so shocking. The commotion I +had undergone, and the ferns which I had eaten to assuage my hunger, +occasioned very severe vomitings, which were followed with extreme +faintness. I had, however, strength enough left to retire behind a bush, +where I found another unhappy wretch. He inquired the cause of my +complaints, and if I had seen Baudre? "He is not far off," replied I, +unwilling to speak more plainly; but my master's sister, who came to +bring us milk, cried out, "Be assured that at this very moment, the +ravens are feasting on the entrails of Baudre; the time is not far +distant, when you will be fit for nothing else." Notwithstanding my +extreme weakness, I was much disposed to give this tigress an answer; +but in consideration of the condition of my companion, I resolved to +keep silence. If I had been the first to inform him of the matter, I +might perhaps have been able to have softened it in the recital; but, +there was no time, I was prevented, and could only mingle tears with +him.</p> + +<p>My health, which had been preserved much better than I could have +expected, began now to fail. The skin of my body had been already twice +renewed. A third time, with inexpressible pain, I found it was covered, +if I may use the expression, with scales, like those of the Arabs. The +thistles upon which I walked, had torn my feet to the quick; I could not +longer support myself. In a word, the great dogs which they continually +hunted after me, and of which I could not get quit, till I had received +some cruel bites, altoge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>ther tended to make me quite unfit for keeping +the camels. To complete my misfortune, about the end of February and +March, the excessive heat dried up the water which we had found in this +district, and not so much as a single drop of rain had fallen to moisten +the ground which I had sowed. Our flocks, finding no more pasturage, +were upon the point of perishing, when at last, the two tribes of +Labdesseba and the Ouadelims, after having consulted, each for +themselves, resolved to go in search of lands occupied by more +industrious inhabitants. The Ouadelims carried their ravages as far as +Guadnum, about 300 leagues from the place where we had been encamped. +Some hordes of the Labdesseba, who were not of so wandering a +disposition as the former, remained behind; and as they were not so +numerous, they found subsistence for their flocks in the neighbouring +districts. They killed some sheep, and thus supported themselves till +the end of the following month, at a time when we ourselves were upon +our march to get out of the deserts, where extreme misery threatened all +the inhabitants.</p> + +<p>I was in the dismal situation I have already described, when we +accidentally fell in with an Arab, who had in his retinue a Christian +slave, whom I immediately recollected to have been baker aboard our +ship. This Arab proposed to my master to give him a good bargain of this +slave; so that, as he was by no means disturbed in what manner he was to +find subsistence for him, he agreed to give a camel in exchange for this +new slave, who was employed in my usual occupations. I had then time to +recruit a little. The unhappy baker paid very dear for the food which he +knew how to pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>cure.—But let us not anticipate upon these matters.</p> + +<p>After having eaten all the snails we found in our circuit, we were +supported by the sheep which we found dead, partly by hunger, and partly +disease. This suggested to us the idea of stifling in the night some +young kids, knowing well that our masters would throw them away, as +their law prohibits their eating the flesh of any animal whose death is +not occasioned by a stroke.</p> + +<p>This little scheme, however, occasioned too frequent deaths, and it +became observable that the goats, who appeared in best health at night, +when the flocks were gathered in, were generally those that were found +dead next morning. Our wants gave reason to suspect us, and at length we +were taken in the act. We were, however, acquitted for past injuries, +with an assurance, that, if we resumed the plan, it should cost us our +heads. Meantime, it was necessary for us to bethink ourselves on some +new plan of subsistence. Thanks to my good constitution, my strength was +recruited, and I was now able to make faggots, for which I found ready +sale, as in that country there is no season of the year in which the +night can be passed without fire; and the women, who have the charge of +these matters, are too lazy to go themselves to cut wood. My little +trade procured me thus sufficient milk for my own support, as well as a +little to spare to poor Devoise, who was very sick.</p> + +<p>As I was preparing to go out one morning to make faggots, this friend +spoke to me as follows, in a voice scarcely audible: "All illusion is at +an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> end; from this moment I will no more flatter myself with the hope of +ever again seeing my native country. I feel my strength gradually +decline. This night, yes, this night, my friend, (for surely you deserve +that name, after what you have done for me), you will find nothing here, +but a corpse cold and dead. Fly, my dear Brisson, fly this hated abode. +Try every scheme you can devise to escape if possible; you were surely +destined for happier days. If Heaven hear my vows in the moment I yield +my breath, it will restore you to your wife and unhappy family. Adieu, +my friend, the tears you attempt to hide are fresh proofs of your +attachment. Write to my brother; assure him that my last words are about +him; and that I die with the sentiments of real Christianity. Adieu, my +last hour is nearer than I expected; I expire!"—In reality, he died +that moment.</p> + +<p>Some children, who had been witnesses of my grief, and the cause of it, +soon spread the news through the village. My master's sister run up to +us, and went off immediately laughing very heartily, and saying that it +would be so much milk saved. Some neighbours, who I believe were moved +to pity me, by my sobbing, came to carry me away from the lifeless body. +They offered me some milk, though at the same time they turned my +distress into ridicule. "Why," said I to them, "do you condemn the tears +which I shed for my friend? I have seen you in similar cases, roll upon +the sand and stones. I have seen your eyes bathed in tears. Do you +suppose our souls are not possessed of the same feelings with yours? +Deceive not yourselves. In this common calamity we are all brothers and +friends." I could not say more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> to them. I found it impossible to remain +long in the presence of these beings, who had the human shape, but were +more ferocious than the most formidable and horrid animals.</p> + +<p>Although I had not been acquainted with M. Devoise previous to our +departure from France, I was very sensible of his loss. The pleasantness +of his manner, his equal temper, acquaintance, and, above all, the +similarity of our situation, had contributed to connect us in the +strongest ties of friendship. I regretted his loss exceedingly; I went +into the fields, to meet again with the only companion I had now +remaining, and we retired together with our flocks, the keeping of which +became daily a more disagreeable task, on account of the scarcity of +pasturage.</p> + +<p>On our arrival, we were ordered to lift up the body of our friend, and +bury it in a deep ditch, that, as the Arabs said, they might hide from +the eyes of their children, the sight of a Christian. We paid him this +last duty with much pain, for our weakness was so great, that we could +not carry him, and were therefore obliged to draw him by the feet near +three quarters of a league; and the earth which surrounded the ditch we +had dug, having failed under me, I fell in first, and I believe I +fainted away under the weight of his carcass.</p> + +<p>Some days after, we quitted these fields to seek a more fertile spot. We +encamped in the neighbourhood of different tribes. I recollected by the +name Denoux, one of the seamen, who had been enslaved together with me. +I asked him the news of his companions. "Six of them," he told me, "were +carried off by the Emperor's son, a very short time after our shipwreck; +they had repassed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> into France. M. Taffaro, chief surgeon, died with the +blows of a club, by which he had been struck on the head. The Sieur +Raboin, under lieutenant, died since, in terrible sufferings. The +others, to escape the horrors of famine, had renounced their religion. +As for me, Sir, it will not be long ere I follow those that are in their +graves. See what a condition I am in! There is no kind of base treatment +which I do not daily suffer." "Alas! my poor lad," replied I, "do not +give up yourself entirely to grief. If it prove true, that six of your +companions have gotten safe again to France, the Ministry will soon be +made acquainted with our situation; their orders will speedily follow +the first feelings of their hearts; they will cause search to be made +for us, and I doubt not that we will soon see the end of our miseries."</p> + +<p>Indeed, I have since learned, that upon the first news of our shipwreck, +M. le Marechal de Castries, had given the most positive orders for our +redemption. But the Sieur Mure, Vice Consul, to whom the orders had been +addressed, in place of acting agreeably to the instructions of the +minister, employed himself wholly in making his court to the Emperor of +Morocco and his officers, whom he loaded with considerable presents, at +the expense of the Court of France.</p> + +<p>This agent could have procured our liberty, by applying at Guadnum, to +some Arab or Jewish merchant, who, in consideration of 100 piastres (500 +livres), would have traversed every corner of the Desert, and who, it +might be fairly inferred, would have been satisfied with a sum +considerably less, when he had not to go farther than the neighbourhood +of Morocco. As soon as he would have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> been appointed to conduct the +Christian slaves to Mogador, the Arabs would have brought them thither +from all quarters, in order to receive the ransom for them; and they +would have been glad to have employed what money they received, in +purchasing wheat and barley, which may be had in abundance at Santa Cruz +in Barbary. But the Vice Consul, by his negligence, prolonged our +misfortunes. The Arabs, our masters, were very unwilling to undertake so +long a journey, which is at the same time both troublesome and +dangerous, without the hope of some reward. The Sieur Mure contented +himself with informing the minister, that he had given the strictest +orders that a proper search should be made for us. The conduct of Sieur +Mure was so blameworthy, that, lest he should consider me as a vile +traducer, I did myself the honour to make it known to his masters. It +was my duty, as a Frenchman, and a friend of mankind.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, what praise ought I not to bestow on Mess. Deprat and +Cabannes, merchants at Mogador! It is to their patriotism that the +return of the greater part of the unhappy shipwrecked persons is to be +attributed. The extensive trade which they carry on in the interior +parts of the country has established their reputation in all the towns, +as well as in the capital. If their advice had been followed, how many +accidents and misfortunes would have been prevented! I have reason to +believe, that this charge is now committed to the Consul General, who +will particularly interest himself in the redemption of any unfortunate +persons who may be shipwrecked on that coast.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> + +<p>But to return to my narration. I had daily in mind the information of +the sailor, and could not imagine how we came to be thus forsaken, when +they had such opportunities of redeeming us. I was reflecting one day +upon the probable causes of this neglect, when, upon retiring behind my +bush, I was surprised to see my master's camels return without their +keeper. It was already late, and he was not yet appearing. They called +to give me my portion of milk, and I had not yet seen the poor keeper. I +inquired at them where he was? They gave me a reserved answer, and drove +me away. The forbidding appearance of my master and mistress, made me +tremble for the baker. I longed for day, to inquire after his fate. +Early in the morning, a young keeper came to tell me that Sidy Mahammet, +who suspected the baker of sucking the milk of his camels, and had +accordingly watched him, having taken him in the fact, had seized him by +the throat, and strangled him. "Take care of yourself," added the young +keeper, "a Christian, who touches the dugs of our cattle, profanes them. +The proprietor, or any other Arab, has a right to punish with death +whoever he finds transgressing; I have forewarned you. Take care, then, +lest you commit such a piece of sacrilege."</p> + +<p>I had great difficulty to give credit to a story so very infamous. I ran +to the tent, and demanded an explanation of what the young man had told +me. A general silence confirmed the truth of what I had just learned, +and I gave myself up to the most unbounded rage. Every one ran. But my +master's brother-in-law was the only person who discovered any signs of +compassion towards<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> me. "Why," said he to his brother, "did you not sell +me these slaves, when I offered to purchase them? What pleasure or +profit can you have in thus occasioning a miserable death to them? or +why treat you thus cruelly the only one that remains? You confess that +he deserves regard; nay, you suppose him to be a king; the riches he has +given you, I think, should engage you to treat him handsomely."</p> + +<p>This last reflection raised the jealousy of the by-standers. They all +unanimously appeared to favour my cause. But Sidy Sellem was the only +person who spoke through his benevolent disposition. The rest did not +speak after him, as a mark of respect to his great age and riches. This +was the same Sidy Sellem, of the tribe of Larroussye, who had treated us +so kindly after our shipwreck, and who had forewarned me that I would +one day repent having refused his offer of purchasing me.</p> + +<p>I was now the only slave in the village. I had no person to whom I could +communicate my distresses. My situation became daily more and more +unhappy; yet I determined with myself to be no longer affected so deeply +with it. "After having supported, with boldness, so many dangers," said +I to myself, "I have to this hour gone through extraordinary fatigue; my +health enables me to encounter still fresh trials; let me support them +with courage, and perhaps Providence will soon cease to try me farther."</p> + +<p>This resolution, and the manner in which I had conducted myself towards +those who were wishing to depress me, had procured me some attention +amongst these savages; insomuch, that they permitted me to lie, from +time to time, behind their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> tents, and even, to drink at times out of +their vessels. My master left me in peace, and did not require that I +should keep the camels. It is true, he no more spake to me about +restoring me to liberty; besides, I would have given very little credit +to any thing which he would have said. His treachery towards me had +convinced me that I could place very little confidence in him.</p> + +<p>I was obliged, however, to continue making faggots, to procure +subsistence; but I was often thrown into fits of inconceivable fury by +thirst. One must have experienced the torment which I endured, to form +an idea of the extremities to which it is possible to be reduced. I saw +that the Arabs themselves were in the greatest distress. Many died of +hunger and thirst. The season promised no relief to them. This was the +fourth time that drought had destroyed the harvest. This cruel situation +had so much rankled the dispositions of the inhabitants of the different +tribes, that they went to war among themselves. They made it their +business to kill as many of their cattle as they could, and dry their +flesh, as the milk had almost entirely failed. The water was now very +scarce; there was none to be found in any part of the Desert, but in the +neighbourhood of the sea-coast, and it was brackish, black, and noxious. +This wretched drink, together with the scarcity of pasturage, had driven +almost all the Arabs from the coasts. The provisions having failed, no +person durst settle in the country; thus were we circumstanced, when I +had opportunity to observe what necessity could teach man to do. The +camels which we killed, served to supply with water those Arabs who had +least milk. They preserved, with great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> care, the water which is found +lodged in the stomachs of these animals. They separated it from the +dung; and, by pressing it, they procured a greenish water, in which they +boiled their victuals. That which they took from the bodies of the +goats, tasted like fennel, and had a very agreeable flavour. This water +is far from being disagreeable; that of the camels is much less pleasant +to the taste. But what astonished me most was, that these animals, who +did not taste water oftener than twice or thrice in a year, and who were +fed upon dried plants, should preserve in their stomach a prodigious +quantity of water; the camel in particular.</p> + +<p>Providence, which had not wholly forsaken me, continued still watching +over my days, which I seemed inclined to cut short, by exposing myself +to the dangers of a battle. Life was now a burden to me. In the hope of +putting an end to my course, I asked leave of my master to go to the +places where his cattle feed, and to join the inhabitants in defending +themselves against the pillagers. My offer was accepted; he gave me a +beast to ride on, and a pistol, the only fire-arm which he had in his +possession; he then addressed his prayers to obtain from heaven the +preservation of his camel, and the prosperity of the arms of those of +his party. I advanced then, with the pistol in my hand, accompanied by a +relation of my master's. I arrived, with my conductor, in the midst of +the warriors. They fought in the most disorderly manner; I did not know +whether one party fled, or if they rushed upon one another; I could see +nothing but a multitude of men, and a cloud of dust, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> could not +conceive how they could distinguish one another. My camel, which +doubtless had been unaccustomed to such expeditions, marched slowly into +the midst of the enemy's fire. My conductor was soon separated from me, +and I saw him fall dead by a blow, which struck him on the head. My +camel, affrighted, made some dreadful capers, and threw me ten paces +from him, upon a heap of sand. Immediately, a foot soldier made up to +me, aimed a blow at me with a pistol, which missed me, and he instantly +fell down at my feet. Another Arab came up with a poignard in his hand; +he attempted to stab me in the breast, when, by a kind of miracle, in +lifting his hand round his head, he entangled his arm in his turban, +which flowed upon his shoulders. I took that opportunity to strike him a +blow with the butt end of my pistol, and pushed him so roughly, that he +fell down in a state of insensibility. This was the only use I made of +my arms. I had nothing wherewith to recharge the pistol, although, in +general, they never go to battle without at least four or five rounds of +ammunition. It had twice missed fire with me. These accidents frequently +happen with them, as both their arms and powder are very bad. However, +the battles of the Arabs are very quickly decided. The greatest harm +these savages do to one another in their skirmishes, is by tearing the +face with their nails, and striking with the poignard. The camels, +generally accustomed to these battles, throw themselves with loud cries +into the crowd. They bite and disperse their enemies more readily than +armed troopers could do.</p> + +<p>When the conflict was ended, many of the Arabs came to me, saying, that +I had fought well, very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> well indeed. They were convinced I had killed +three men, although I had only wounded one. I however allowed them to +enjoy their opinion, and took care to empty my pistol, that my character +as a warrior might not suffer.</p> + +<p>Since Providence still spares me, said I then to myself, I can try every +method to escape. I projected a scheme to get away, and to carry off +from my master all the treasure which I had given him. With these +effects, I proposed to go over to another tribe. Mark my reasonings. If +any Arab should meet me, he will not wish for a more favourable +opportunity to secrete himself, in order to put my booty in safety, and +I would engage him to conduct me quickly to Morocco. This project +appeared to me to be an excellent one. Ignorant of the road which I must +take, and the dangers which I ran, I hasted to put it in execution. It +succeeded so far very well. I concealed myself in a hole till the +morning, with a design not only to carry off the treasure, but also +either a good or bad covering, as it might occur, to defend me from the +cold.</p> + +<p>Sidy Mahammet soon observed that his treasure was amissing. He ran +quickly to the foot of the bush where I lay. Entreaties, threatenings, +and caresses, were all employed, in order to prevail upon me to return +his goods; and above all, he entreated me not to speak of them to any +person. "I swear to you by Mahomet, by all that I value most," said he +to me, "that I will cause you to be soon conducted to Mogador. I promise +that I will make you a free man the very first opportunity. Restore to +me, I beseech you, that which you formerly gave me. If my wife, who is +just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> about being delivered, comes to learn my misfortune, it will +affect her very seriously; she will lose her infant, and perhaps her +life. Think what evils you will occasion."</p> + +<p>This observation of Sidy Mahammet would not have affected me greatly, +had I not recollected during the night, that it was very possible I +might fall into the hands of some unfortunate wretch, too poor to +undertake so long a journey, and who, to make sure of what I had, might +put an end to my days with his poignard. I made a virtue of necessity, +and pretended to restore them, because of his entreaties. I remarked +what ascendancy his fear gave me over him, and assured him, that if he +broke his word, I would most certainly take again all that I had given +him. He renewed his oaths, and promised to give me punctually, for the +time to come, a portion of milk, evening and morning. He kept his +promise, but never went from home. He feared that his neighbours, with +whom I had constant intercourse, and especially his relations, would +hear of the seizure which I had lately made, and that some other time +his dear casket of jewels might be taken from him for ever. I believe he +now sincerely wished to get quit of me, and Heaven soon furnished him +with an opportunity, which I had so long wished for.</p> + +<p>Chance conducted to the place which I had bathed with my tears, Sidy +Mouhamet, sheriff of the tribe of Trargea. He saw me, and asked who I +was. He was made acquainted with my history; they boasted to him +particularly of my great possessions at Senegal, in powder, guns, &c. +The sheriff immediately called me, and inquired what was my situation at +the island of St Louis. I an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>swered his inquiries. He observed me a +little more attentively, and then cried out, Are you Brisson? Alas! Yes, +I am the same. He was immediately surprised. Do you know that Christian, +added he, all the property at Senegal is his. This man had imagined, +that all the effects in the king's magazines, which he had seen me order +to be delivered, were my own property. My master's brother-in-law, +encouraged by these few words, did not hesitate long in making a +purchase of me, which he did for five camels.</p> + +<p>I did not know of this bargain being concluded, when I was one day +struck all at once with surprise and joy. I had returned with my master +from giving the camels drink (for the third time in three months), and +his wife had ordered me to go and carry into the neighbouring tent a +leathern bucket which she had borrowed. Sidy Sellem, whom I have just +mentioned, was there; he called me, and ordered me to prepare to go with +him the next day to Mogador. I had been so often flattered with this +hope, and had so often been disappointed in my expectation, that I could +not persuade myself that what he said was truth. However, some persons +who heard what the Arab said to me, assured me that it was no deception. +The old man himself again protested this to me. I threw myself at his +feet, I wept, I sobbed, I laughed, I did not know where I was. Alas! who +can estimate the value of liberty? or form an idea of what I felt, when +I understood that my fetters were indeed broken?</p> + +<p>My first master called me, and told me I was no longer his property. "I +have fulfilled my pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>mise," added he, "you shall again see your native +country." I forgot in that moment all my resentment, and gave myself up +to unbounded joy. It was no small addition to my satisfaction, when I +understood I was to have a companion on the journey. "We are to meet +with some others at a little distance," added he. How little did I +expect to find the unhappy baker there. I asked at him, when I saw him, +by what miracle he had been raised from the dead. "Alas!" he answered +me, "I know not how it comes to pass that I am not indeed dead. Sidy +Mahammet surprised me one day sucking a she-camel. He ran up to me, gave +me several blows, and grasped me so hard by the neck, that I fell down +almost lifeless at his feet. I was greatly surprised, on recovering from +my trance, to find myself alone. I found my neck was all bloody, and you +may see the marks of his nails at this hour. I crept upon my hands into +a hole in a rock. The echo frequently caused the voice of my barbarous +master to resound in my ears; he had come again a little after in quest +of me, or at least to see what was become of me. Not having fallen upon +the place where he thought he left me expiring, he called upon me on all +sides; but I would not answer him. I had resolved with myself, either to +perish with hunger, or to reach the borders of the sea, in hopes of +seeing some ship. I arrived at length, after ten days travel, having +nothing to support me but snails, and urine for my drink. The sight of a +little fishing smack, which had anchored near the land, redoubled my +strength. I ran as fast as I could by the water's edge, endeavouring to +make them observe me by signs, and to get the captain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> to send a boat +for me. But I had scarcely entered upon the rocks which border on the +sea, when I was seized by two young Arabs,<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">28</a> who dragged me to some +distance from the sea-coast. The fright occasioned by having fallen into +their hands, disappointment in having failed in my enterprise, and +particularly hunger, had altogether reduced me to such an extremity, +that I would certainly have expired, had not they very quickly given me +some support. They took very great care of me, and from that day became +my masters. I had the charge of keeping their goats, for they have no +other flocks, nor any other livelihood but what they procure by means of +their fish. They appeared to be a much more pleasant people than those +who inhabit the inland part of the country; they are more industrious. +About fifteen days afterwards, they informed me they were to conduct me +to the Sultan; and if they carried me thither, I believed they would +meet with your master at the rendezvous, and inform him that they had +arrested me. I much wished, Sir," added he, "that you had been with me, +well convinced that you would have been happier, for I found no cause to +be displeased with these people. They often spoke to me about you; it +appeared that they all had known of you.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">29</a> But at last we have met. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>What are they to do with us? Are they to conduct us to the Emperor of +Morocco?"</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28" class="fnanchor">28</a> The Arabs who dwell along that coast live upon their fish. +They are exceedingly poor, but of much milder manners than the +inhabitants of the interior parts, by whom they are greatly despised.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29" class="fnanchor">29</a> The jewels which I had given Sidy Mahammet had made so +much noise through all the country, that the travelling Arabs who passed +through our districts asked frequently at my companions in misfortune, +when they met me—<i>Es Brisson?</i></p></div> + +<p>After having heard the baker's history, I answered his inquiries to this +purpose, that we were to set out to Morocco, but that we had a very long +journey to make. "We have much to suffer," added I, "as we must follow +the track of the camels; I know not, besides, on what we are to subsist, +for we have no she-camels, and of consequence can have no milk. I am +persuaded we will be obliged to beg our way from village to village, +which will greatly retard our journey."</p> + +<p>The next day the inhabitants of the tribe of Trarge assembled around +Sidy Sellem, and made a long prayer; after which they brought both to +him and us a kettle full of broth, prepared with meal of a wild grain, +of which I believe I had formerly heard them speak. They added to this +mess a large portion of milk, and their best wishes for a good journey +to us.</p> + +<p>Sidy Mahammet bade me a very affecting adieu. "Adieu, Brisson," said he +to me, "you are about to undertake a very long and troublesome journey. +You may easily conceive what reasons I have to fear the exposing myself +to it. I wish you may have a safe journey, and that your sea-voyage may +be more fortunate than the last; adieu, forget not to send a piece of +scarlet cloth to my wife. You will give it in charge to Sidy Sellem. +Adieu, my friend Brisson." The tears which accompanied these last words +would certainly have imposed upon me, if I had not known how capable he +was to deceive. However, the pleasure I felt in getting away from him, +enabled me to express some gratitude. I engaged to send what he wanted +for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> his wife. He assisted me in mounting a stout camel which was +appointed for me and the baker, but we were obliged to leave it a few +days after; we were not the only persons who did so. These animals not +finding pasturage, were not in a condition to continue the journey; +besides, the camels in this country are not able to endure so much +fatigue. On the other hand, we were not able to keep our seats very +long, as they had no saddles. We were therefore obliged to walk on foot +the rest of our journey. Judge what I suffered, when the sand penetrated +into the wounds of my feet, and when the thistles opened these wounds +again afresh. I frequently fell down without expecting I would be able +to rise again. At the same time I had frequently to turn, sometimes to +the right, and sometimes to the left, to reassemble the camels which +fell behind; and we were often obliged to make counter marches to avoid +these hordes of Arabs, whom we had reason to fear might pursue us.</p> + +<p>One day,—Alas! the recollection of that unhappy day will long be +imprinted on my memory!—we descended into a valley which was covered +with verdure by the rains which had lately fallen. My master therefore +made a halt here, in order that the famished camels might get a little +nourishment. He ascended to an eminence, upon a high mountain which +surrounded part of the valley. He sat down a little there, while his own +beast and the other camels should feed, as he meant to carry them to the +city and sell them. I passed on before him to reach the summit of the +mountain, supposing that to be the road which we were to follow. What +confirmed me in my opinion was,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> that the old man permitted me to +continue my journey, and I also observed the path which I took was a +beaten one. At length, having reached the top, I went to a little +distance from the road, to shake my long beard, which was constantly +filled with vermin, notwithstanding all my care. Having lain near an +hour quiet behind a bush, without seeing any of the travellers appear, I +returned again to the edge of the hill. My God, what was my astonishment +when I could see no person! Where are they? Which way have they gone? +What road shall I take? As the hordes which encamped in this +neighbourhood came thither to feed their flocks, a great number of +different roads met here. I could not think of any other way, than to +cry aloud different times on Sidy Sellem. At length I observed at a +distance four or five Arabs, who were coming up towards me. I ran to +meet them, supposing them to belong to our company. I soon discovered my +mistake; a great dog, and one of the stoutest of the barbarians, made up +to me at the same time. The Arab aimed a blow at me with the back of the +blade of his sabre, which struck me on the head. The others coming up, +drew me among the rocks, where they had an asylum, and there prepared to +place me in a frightful situation.</p> + +<p>See then the hope of recovering my liberty entirely lost! My slavery +promised to be harder now than ever. I was absorbed in these +reflections, when the assassins conducted me to a declivity, which led +to a place, where they expected to hide me from the sight of their +companions. Suddenly I observed our flocks, and our little caravan, to +the number of twenty persons, in a valley which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> surrounded the +mountains. I luckily escaped out of the hands of my plunderers, and +found as much strength, as enabled me to reach to my old man. The +vagabonds affrighted, took to their heels.</p> + +<p>My master reprimanded me severely, and charged me never to separate from +him again. I complained on my part, that he had not stopped me, when he +observed that the road which I pursued, was not that which he himself +was to take, and by his silence, I supposed I was right; in a word, that +he had gone off without calling me back, and that he had not sent any +person in search of me. He gave me for answer, that he had not stopped +me in the road I had taken, because he intended to follow me +immediately; but he had been under the necessity of going after the +camels, who had strayed through the valley, eating the green herbs, of +which they had been long deprived. "I was preparing to overtake you," +said he, "at the very moment, when the sound of your voice reached me, +and apprised me both of your danger, and of that to which I would have +been exposed in following you. But I durst not risk my camels, nor +hazard my own life, to preserve yours; we have, besides, no time to +lose; let us escape as quickly as possible, from a place, in which I am +in as great danger as yourself." In consequence, we doubled our pace, +for the following six hours, and made a cross-march, in order to deceive +those who might be disposed to follow us. We eat no food the next and +following day, until the evening. I had taken nothing for my support for +two days, but a few handfuls of wild succory, which I had gathered in +the fatal valley.</p> + +<p>The day following, we were in an open country.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> We had passed over the +hills, and travelled through plains, filled with calcined flint-stones, +which resembled smith's charcoal. Above these stones, arose at a little +distance, a whitish earth, upon which we saw great trunks of trees, +heaped upon one another, the roots of which were torn off. The bark was +entirely stripped off, and the branches, brittle as glass, were twisted +like cords. The wood was of a yellowish colour, like the wood of +liquorice, and besides, the inside of these trees was filled with a +powder, very hard to the touch. All this announced to me a very +extraordinary revolution. I was anxious to learn, if these trunks had +any taste of sulphur; but neither the wood, the dust enclosed in the +heart of the trees, nor the calcined stones, had either taste or smell.</p> + +<p>At some distance, we found the mountains of a prodigious height, +appearing as if they were piled one above another. The rocks, which were +detached, had formed, by their crumbling down, as it were precipices. +Others, suspended in the air, threatened to crush in pieces the +traveller below. Others, again, in their striking one upon another, by +receiving in their shock, slimy earth, which hurled down continually, +formed frightful caverns. The surrounding valleys were filled with +rocks, which appeared to rise one above another, and produced new +masses, not less frightful. To conclude, it appeared like a long range +of mountains, from which pieces of a great size were frequently falling, +which were reduced to dust, before they reached the ground.</p> + +<p>From another side issued two fountains, one of which drew along with it, +in its course, a black slimy stuff, which occasioned a sulphurous +smell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> The other, separated from the first, by a small isthmus of sand, +from twelve to fifteen paces broad, is clearer than crystal. The taste +of these waters is pretty agreeable; the bottom of their bed is filled +with small stones of various colours, which presented to the eye a +delightful prospect.</p> + +<p>It was in the same place I observed a singularity, which I submit to the +understanding of my readers. In a valley, which appeared at first sight, +to be very much circumscribed by the number of surrounding mountains, +across threatening vaults, formed by the falling of different rocks, +heaped upon one another, I discovered an immense region, which +astonished me by the variety which it presented to our view. At the +first entrance of this valley, the ground is moist and furrowed, as if +rivulets had formerly winded through it. The borders of these furrows +were covered with many beds, and thickly spread over with a nitrous kind +of ice. The rocks, which served to enclose them, were covered with the +same, and had a near resemblance to cascades. The thick reddish roots, +and the branches, covered with leaves, like those of the laurel tree, +crept across the different crevices. At a greater distance, on advancing +towards the west, we saw pyramids of great stones, as white as +alabaster, towering one above another, which seemed to indicate the +border of a bank, and above which very high date-trees grew up, of which +the trunks were warped round even to the top. The palm trees, extended +upon a mass of stones, by their length and colour, gave proof of their +antiquity. Others, lying across here and there, and wholly stripped of +their bark, afforded a very dismal spectacle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> + +<p>I split one of the palm-trees with my nails, and put a piece of it in my +mouth; it had a taste, at once bitter and salt, but no smell. Those +which were overturned, fell in pieces immediately upon my touching them; +and the filaments which remained under the bark, were covered over with +a saltish powder, as clear as crystal. The roots which hung far down +from the rocks were glutinous, and the bark broke off with the least +touch. I plucked up several branches of wild laurel, from which I +immediately distilled some white drops, one of which, having fallen upon +my hand, occasioned a very smart pain, and a black spot, which took off +the skin. I durst not venture to taste it. In a word, the stones, the +nitrous beds, the overturned date-trees and others, enveloped to the +very top the immense plain covered with an extremely fine salt, the +ground cut and furrowed, which appeared to have been turned up by the +torrents, those rent mountains, if I may use the expression, all seemed +to indicate, that at some former period, the scum of the sea had been +carried into these places. I asked at Sidy Sellem, if we were far from +the sea, and if ever it had passed that way? He told me, that we were +perhaps the first of the human race who had landed there; that he was +looking for the sea, which ought to be before us, in order to discover +the places where, he had been told, some Arab camps were to be found, +among whom he had friends who had accompanied him in a journey to Mecca.</p> + +<p>"Keep yourself easy," added he, "the sun is my guide, he will conduct me +where I wish to go. You may therefore follow, without fear, the +footsteps of the camels." Indeed, I thought that I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> walked with +considerable ease; but it was not long, when I began to feel excessive +pain, as my feet, severely torn, were filled with a kind of saltish +dust. How greatly was I astonished, when, after two days' travelling, I +found we were on the brink of the sea, and perceived below me the +rolling waves foaming upon a frightful precipice! Towards the east, +where I then was, its course was limited by immense rocks. On +considering this elevation, I could not persuade myself, that ever this +element had carried its waves to such a height. The rocks, said I to +myself, would then serve for a bed to it. I lost myself in my +conjectures;—besides, I set out at first to report facts, and it is not +my province to make learned dissertations.</p> + +<p>After some days journey farther, gradually advancing towards Morocco, we +found other mountains no less elevated than the first, covered with +stones of rose, violet, citron and green colours, and I observed +extensive forests at a distance. I had not seen any before all the +thirteen months I had been in the deserts. I was astonished to see the +trunks of trees coming out of the centre of rocks, and to appearance +hanging down like fruits. I saw with surprise also the roebucks running +after one another, upon these same trees, leaping on the hanging rocks +with incredible velocity, when they perceived any one following them. +The moment one of them took to flight, the rest immediately followed. I +observed, among many other trees, that of which the leaf resembled the +gum-tree, or our parsley, to be the only one of the different kinds +which I had seen, in all these countries, that had suffered from +lightning. The thunder had no influence upon the rest.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> + +<p>We travelled through the forests for three days. We had spent already +four nights, and, during that time, had not heard any thing of the +fierce animals, with which the deserts of Africa are overspread. They +must certainly inhabit the country which lies far to the eastward; but +how do they procure water?</p> + +<p>The more we advanced, the more my distress abated. We frequently found +fields of barley ready to be reaped. I sat down and ate, with a degree +of pleasure which I cannot express. The water now also became more +abundant. On every side, we frequently fell in with villages, where we +were well received. In others, where we would not have been so safe, +Sidy Sellem was much respected, as he had formerly made a journey to +Mecca. However, the Arabs of the tribe of Telkoennes exceeded all in +their attention to us.</p> + +<p>After having paid Sidy Sellem all the customary honours due to a +stranger, they caused to be set before him, at the usual hour, barley, +meal, and milk. He gave me the remainder of his supper, which I went to +eat apart with my new comrade the baker; for, especially on a journey, a +Christian ought neither to eat nor drink, and far less to sleep, beside +his master. My repast being ended, I dug a hole in the sand, in order to +screen myself from the cold. To prevent the sand from entering into my +eyes, I covered my head with a piece of packing-cloth, which I wore +about my middle. But I had scarcely closed my eyes, when I heard the +report of two gunshots, which appeared to have been fired hard by me, +and immediately I was seized by the body. I very readily threw off me +the covering of sand which I had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> made myself, and which was warm. One +of those who held me, asked me if I was wounded. I supposed that the +fire, which had taken hold of my linen, had come from the wadding of the +gun. "No," replied I, "but on what account do you treat me in this +manner?"—"Sir,"<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">30</a> answered he, "follow us." My master, who had been +awakened by the report of the gun, ran towards the place where he had +heard my voice. He complained of their abusing in such a manner one of +his slaves, and that they had violated the laws of hospitality towards +such a man as he was. The Arab of the mountains, in reply, told him, +with an imperious tone, that during the night he watched his flock, not +knowing that I belonged to his retinue; and having seen a man conceal +himself in the sand, he had supposed him to be one of those robbers, +who, during the night, come to carry off their young goats. Sidy Sellem +pretended to believe him, commended his zeal, and took me out of his +hands. As soon as he imagined that the village was all quiet, he left a +place where he was as much afraid of his own safety as mine.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30" class="fnanchor">30</a> The language which they speak in the Desert, differs from +that spoken in the capital. Sidy Sellem, who was considered as a scholar +among them, was obliged to repeat several times, before he could make +himself understood by Effendy, who interrogated him in the presence of +the Emperor.</p></div> + +<p>The Arabs of the tribe of Telkoennes are the worst situated of any that +I have seen in all the Desert. They live in the midst of mountains of +sand, raised by the winds. One would think they endeavoured to hide +themselves from the light of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>day, so difficult is it to penetrate into +their retreats, or to find the way out of them. The plains in their +neighbourhood abound with prodigious serpents. Three times I had +occasion to see them frighten our camels; and the animals, when +affrighted, fled, and obliged the baker and myself to take long races in +order to assemble them again.</p> + +<p>At last we approached to the famous city of Guadnum, of which I had +heard so much talking for a long time past. It was across a cave of +rocks, that I saw at a distance a city built upon an eminence, the +environs of which announced formidable fortifications. When we drew near +it, a little after, I could see no more than earthen bulwarks, almost +all broken down. We observed some of the inhabitants, who appeared at +small windows opposite to us. They seemed to be meditating some wicked +action. The chief of the village, having learned that Sidy Sellem was +the leader of this small caravan, came to meet him, attended by four +negro slaves. They carried on their heads a basket of dates, which their +master had presented as a mark of respect to him. "Is this Guadnum which +I see?" I asked at Sidy Sellem. "No," replied he, "it is Fort Labat. The +city is very near; you may observe it." Indeed, we arrived there two +hours after.</p> + +<p>This city, so much longed for, is the refuge of all the most resolute +rebels of the different tribes. It is divided into two parts. The lower +part is commanded by Sidy Adalla, There was a governor for the higher +part, which is situated upon a little hill, and which very much +resembles Fort Labat. Almost all the houses are built in the same +manner. Four great walls occupy an im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>mense space of ground. All those +of the same part, build a house which will only admit light by the door +and the top, which remains uncovered. The four walls which surround the +house are very high. There is only one gate in all their circumference. +This is guarded by large dogs. Every particular person has his own dog +to protect himself; and without this precaution, although enclosed +within walls, would have no security against the depredations of any +neighbour more daring, or more skillful than himself.</p> + +<p>I could not reconcile this general mistrust with the considerable trade +which was carried on in this city. I saw two markets in it, which +certainly were not inferior in any respect to the largest fairs in the +provinces of France. Though specie of different kinds circulates here, I +am inclined to think that their trade is principally carried on by +barter. Fine wool may be found here in great abundance, and, above all, +woollen stuffs, half white and half crimson, which are used by the +inhabitants for their dresses. The merchants who purchase them, in order +to sell them in the interior parts of the country, give camels in +exchange.</p> + +<p>Their ordinary profit is four hundred per cent.; and on these articles +they gain much less than on wheat, barley, dates, horses, sheep, goats, +oxen, she-asses, tobacco, gunpowder, combs, small mirrors, and other +toys, which are not carried to a great distance. They are consumed in +certain small towns of the country, in each of which a market is held on +fixed days. What is very surprising is, that the Jews are almost the +only people who carry on this trade. They are, however, exposed to the +most humiliating insults. An Arab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> snatches the bread from<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">31</a> the hand +of an Israelite, enters his house, makes him give him a handful of +tobacco, often beats him, and always behaves to him with insolence; and +yet the poor Jew must suffer with patience. It is true, that he +indemnifies himself after his own manner; that is to say, by the address +with which he disposes of his merchandise to advantage, and by the +cunning by which he overreaches an Arab. The latter, in general, are +exceedingly stupid.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31" class="fnanchor">31</a> It was at Guadnum that I first saw bread again. Whether +brick or stones be scarce, or they have not learned the method of laying +their ovens with these materials, I cannot say; but their custom is, to +make little flint-stones, red hot, and on them bake their dough. The +bread is pretty good. That which the emperor caused to be provided for +the consul, appeared to be baked in a different manner, though I cannot +say how. I found it more agreeable to the taste.</p></div> + +<p>I met with a Moor in this city, who happened to have been at the +sea-shore the very time of our shipwreck. I owe him an acknowledgment, +for he treated me well. His sister-in-law, Paphye, appeared to take a +very lively concern in my situation. During eight days I spent in +Guadnum, she employed me in grinding some corn. She entertained me well, +and, I may say, showed me numberless instances of care and attention. +She wished much that I would stay with her. But nothing can equal the +generous assistance I received from Aaron the Jew, and his wives, +notwithstanding the ingratitude which they have often experienced from +many Christian slaves.</p> + +<p>I left Guadnum, after having rested there eight days. On the road to +Mogador, I found nothing but villages or castles, situated, for the most +part, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>on very high mountains. At a distance, one would suppose them +superb edifices, but, on coming nearer, we found them much the same with +the others. We were very well entertained. The nearer we approached the +city, however, we found the less hospitality. There is reason to believe +the inhabitants are afraid of the affluence of foreign travellers.</p> + +<p>We were sixty-six days on this march; my strength was exhausted, my +limbs swelled, and my feet almost in a state of suppuration.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">32</a> I had +infallibly sunk under it, if my master, to encourage me, had not +constantly said to me, "Keep up your heart, there is the sea, behold the +ships; take courage, we will be soon there." Hope supported me; and, in +a moment, when I had not the least expectation of it, at length I +perceived that element of which I had so much cause to complain, and +which was still to be the arbiter of my fate. Sidy Sellem, without +doubt, wished to enjoy my surprise. On coming out of a labyrinth of +broom, we arrived at the top of some hillocks of sand.—Oh! you who read +this history, which is too true, you never can form an idea of the joy +which I felt at that moment, when I again saw the flag of France, and +that of other nations, flying at the stern of the different ships, at +anchor in the road of Mogador, which I still knew by no other name than +that of Soira. "Very well! Brisson," said my master to me; "Very +well!—Speak, wont you?—Are you satisfied?—Do you see these +vessels?—Do you want those of France?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>—I promised to conduct you to +the Consul, you see I have kept my word: but what? you give me no +answer!"—Alas! what could I answer? my tears could not find vent; I +could not articulate a syllable. I looked at the sea, the flags, the +ships, the city, and I thought that all was a dream. The unhappy baker, +not less exhausted, and equally astonished with myself, mingled his sobs +with mine. My tears trickled down upon the hands of the generous old +man, who had made me so happy with an agreeable surprise.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32" class="fnanchor">32</a> A thorn of a gum bush had run into my foot, which I could +not get extracted, till it was entirely putrified.</p></div> + +<p>At length we arrived in the city, but still I was not without my fears. +I trembled lest I should be retained as a slave. I had access to know, +before I left France, that the emperor had abused M. Chenier, and that +he had made his complaint at court. I had not learned if France had paid +any attention to it, or if a new consul had been appointed; but in every +case I had cause to fear. I was not long, however, in being set at ease. +On entering the city, I met two Europeans, "Who and what are you," said +I to them, "you see my misery, condescend to assist me. Comfort me, +support me. Where am I? From what country are you? What month is this? +and what day of it?" I was addressing natives of Bourdeaux, who, after +having considered, went to inform Messrs Duprat and Cabannes, who had +made it their business to relieve any unhappy persons, whom unlucky +accident had thrown upon their coast. They came to meet me; and, without +being ashamed at my shocking appearance, they took me in their arms, and +bathed me with the tears, which the joy of relieving an unfortunate man +made them shed. "Your misfortunes are at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> an end, Sir," said they to me; +"come with us; we will do our best to make you forget your troubles." +They carried me immediately away with them, after having desired my +master to follow us, and to make himself easy, as to any arrangements +which I had it now in my power to make with him. I entreated these +gentlemen to permit me to take along with me, not only Sidy Sellem, but +also his son. Their house became as my own. Care, attention, +friendship—all were heaped upon me without affectation. They dressed me +from head to foot in their own clothes, till such time as I could get +some made to answer my shape. I was visited soon after by all the +Europeans who were at Mogador; they congratulated me upon the change in +my condition, and particularly that I had arrived at so favourable a +juncture, as that of the entry of a new consul, who had brought with him +from France very considerable presents to the Emperor.</p> + +<p>I was presented the same day to the governor of the place, who signified +to us an order to go to Morocco. The king had given a declaration to +that effect. He wished to see all the slaves with his own eyes, and that +they should hear from his own mouth, the proclamation of their liberty.</p> + +<p>We therefore set out in about eight days after, with a guard, which +accompanied the treasure, my master, myself and the baker, as Sidy +Mahammet had sent him by his brother, reserving to himself the ransom +which he might receive for him. We were supplied with mules, a tent, +victuals, and men to serve us. We arrived after four days journey.</p> + +<p>The first thing I observed, was the steeple of one of the mosques, which +appeared to be at a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> great distance. I expected to see the dwelling of +ancient emperors, and other remains of antiquity, but I could observe +nothing except the residence of the king of Fez and Mequinez. The walls +which surround the palace are of earth, and the two corners are wholly +in ruins. One would have supposed them to be the enclosure of a +churchyard. The houses in the neighbourhood of the park are low, and +built in the same manner as those of Guadnum, but dirtier, and not so +well aired.</p> + +<p>The guard who attended my person, presented me to the consul and +vice-consul. They offered me board and lodging, till I should set out +for France. A second guard very soon came to acquaint me, that, the +emperor informed of my arrival, had ordered me to appear immediately +before him. I therefore followed this messenger, who conducted me +through vast courts, where I saw nothing but very high walls of sand, +and a scorching sun, which darted right on our heads the whole day. I at +length reached the palace, where his majesty's guards are assembled. +Those who attend his majesty's person, are armed with a gun. Their dress +consists of one coat of any colour, and a cloak, similar to those of the +capuchin friars. They have on their head a small red cap, with a blue +tassel at top. Their naked feet only half enter their slippers, which +they are obliged to drag after them. They carry the case of their gun in +the form of St Andrew's Cross, and have a girdle around their body, by +which hangs a cartouch box. Those who do not belong to this corps, have +only a white staff for all their armour.</p> + +<p>The horsemen are dressed in the same manner. They wear half-boots on +their feet, and great spurs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> of nine or ten inches long, which resemble +so many spikes of iron. Their horses have always their sides opened to +the quick; the riders jag them continually, and appear to have pleasure +in it. This is a faithful portrait of the troops of his majesty the King +of Morocco.</p> + +<p>While I waited for an audience, I saw a captain review his troops. He +sat down on the ground, his chin leaning on his two hands, and his arms +placed on his knees, and turned up towards his chin. He made the +soldiers advance two by two, and gave them the word of command. These, +having prostrated themselves before him, retired behind, and went about +their affairs.</p> + +<p>Five or six of those who were armed with clubs, seized me by the collar, +as if I had been a criminal. They caused open two great folding gates, +like those of our granaries, and pushed me roughly into the park.</p> + +<p>In vain I looked around me in search of some ensign of royalty. At +length, having passed a kind of <i>bruette</i>,<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">33</a> 15 or 20 paces, they made +me turn about my face, and I was ordered while they pushed me roughly +forward, to prostrate myself before this <i>bruette</i>, in which the king +sat, amusing himself in stroking the toes of his foot, which he held on +his knee. He looked at me for some time, and then inquired if I was one +of these Christian slaves, whose vessel had been wrecked upon his coasts +about a year ago, and what was my business at Senegal, &c. "Your loss +was owing to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>your own misconduct," said he to me; "why did you not keep +yourself at large? Are you rich," continued he; "Are you married?" I had +scarcely answered his questions, when he ordered paper and ink to be +brought him, then, with a small reed, which served him for a pen, he +traced the four principal winds, and made me observe, that Paris lay to +the northward. He then ciphered about twelve figures in French. "Do you +know these?" asked he; and put several similar questions to me, to show +me that he was a scholar.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33" class="fnanchor">33</a> A very mean sort of carriage, drawn by two horses, very +often to be seen in the streets of Paris.</p></div> + +<p>"Tell me," continued the Prince, "did the Mountaineers<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">34</a> use you well +or ill? have they taken many of your effects?" I hastened to answer all +his questions, and informed him, that the nearer I approached to the +capital, the more civil usage I met with. "I have not the sovereignty," +replied he, "of all the countries through which you have passed; or, to +express myself more properly, my orders cannot be put so effectually +into execution at such a distance. With whom are you come?—With Sidy +Sellem of <i>La Roussye</i>. I know him, bring him hither." Immediately +after, my master was introduced in the same manner I had been.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34" class="fnanchor">34</a> The inhabitants of the towns call those of the deserts +mountaineers.</p></div> + +<p>The emperor asked him, if he had bought me very dear, and what were his +intentions. Sidy Sellem answered him very archly, by informing him, that +he had no other intention in traversing these immense regions, but to +come and prostrate himself at the feet of his sovereign, and present +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>him with the homage of his slave.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">35</a> "Do you know," continued the +Prince, "if any other of these people are to be found among the +Ouadelims and Labdesseba, as it was by these tribes they were all +seized?" My patron answered him very humbly. "Yes, Sir, and they may be +very easily collected together, if you issue orders to that effect." The +emperor did not push this conversation farther; he commanded one of his +guards to attend me and the baker, upon a fresh order; and that we +should eat in the royal kitchen. This man expressed no little surprise, +that the Sultan should have condescended to converse so long with a +slave.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35" class="fnanchor">35</a> It is certain, that if Sidy Sellem had not wished to pay +his homage to the emperor, (it was fifty years since he had been at +Morocco), and had he not been called to the city by his own particular +business, I would never have seen my native country; I was too far into +the interior parts of the country ever to have escaped otherwise.</p></div> + +<p>The next day, the consul called me back before the guard, saying, that +when the king inquired after me, the guard should come and seek me in +his house. I had then appointed for my dwelling, a cave, which had +formerly been the residence of the Spanish ambassador. The emperor, +willing to pay the same attention to the envoy of France, gave him the +same lodging.</p> + +<p>This palace, which was the best the emperor had in his disposal, was +nothing else than a long cave dug in the earth, the vault of which was +supported by two ranges of pillars. The descent was by a small stair, +and there was no air but what was procured by small windows, placed on +the head of the vault. The emperor keeps here his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>tents and war +equipage. In fine, naked walls, spiders webs, bats and rats, were all +that we could see in this dwelling. This building stands in one of the +finest situations in his majesty's gardens, which are adorned with olive +and quince trees, pomegranates and apples. The four high walls which +surround them, gives one the idea of a state prison. It was in this +place that the emperor lodged the ambassadors, or representatives of +powerful foreign nations, and did not provide them with a single piece +of furniture. He contented himself with ordering them a certain quantity +of beef, mutton, poultry, bread and water.</p> + +<p>His majesty's own palace consisted of six large courts, surrounded by +walls. The outside of the seraglio resembled a granary. The mosque is +built in the same manner. I know not if the inside is any thing more +agreeable, but there is nothing in its exterior to please the eye. The +city is separated from the palace by masses of clay. The filth and bones +of beasts which have been killed, heaped upon one another, serve, to use +the expression, as a girdle to the capital. These pyramids of nastiness +are ever to be found within the city. They prevail even on the tops of +the houses, and keep out the very light of day. The sun, which beats +upon these hills of filth, exhales the putrefaction from them. The +houses, ill built, resemble hogsties, and are very ill aired. The +streets are narrow, and partly covered with beds of straw.</p> + +<p>One day that the New England ambassador, who had taken lodgings in the +city, the consul and myself, were taking an airing on horseback, we were +obliged to alight. The people, under bad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> government, or rather without +any, run before us, and interrupted us in our journey, as we had no +guards to escort us. Without this precaution, a person runs the risk of +being cut in pieces. In spite of all the care I could take, I got a +stroke on the head with a stone. But I neither could discover from +whence, or by whom it was thrown. Take this as a just specimen of the +city of Morocco.</p> + +<p>The character of the inhabitants differs very little from that of those +of the deserts. They are not quite so stout, and rather fairer. They are +more accustomed to the sight of Europeans, and therefore are less +surprised with it, but they are equally addicted to the practice of +insulting them. I have seen many of them enter into the houses of the +consul and M. Duprat, sit down, and without asking it as a favour, +demand of them something to eat and drink; nay, even require that they +should give them what they thought fit to ask. A porter, who had no +other trouble than to open three times to the consul, the gate of the +court where the emperor was, came with great effrontery to him demanding +a gratification. He gave him some silver pieces, with which he was far +from satisfied. He therefore continued holding out his hand, and crying +<i>Zit</i> (give more, this is not sufficient), with an arrogance equally +ridiculous as his demand.</p> + +<p>The secretaries and writers behave in the same manner; they impose their +demands on all who have any concern with them. The principal crown +officers are still more greedy of presents, and especially of great +piastres, of which the value is 5<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> livres and 10 sols. Their master +makes it his daily business, to examine them what they have gained by +doing any piece of business, or executing any commission. He gives them +considerable posts, or sends them upon an embassy; and when it is +presumed that they have amassed a certain fortune, they are accused of +some misconduct, stripped of all their possessions, and left to finish +their days in slavery. Their very children are not exempted from these +acts of barbarity. The same Mouley Adaram, whom I have already +mentioned, lives at this day wandering in the Desert, and among his +banditti, in consequence of having fallen a victim to his father's +covetousness. I do not know if this young prince has ever shown any good +qualities, but in the Desert he is only considered as a barbarous +prince, who will prove a very cruel tyrant, if ever he mounts the +throne. It is true, the throne appears at present to be destined for his +brother Moulem<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">36</a> Azy, who is as worthless as himself.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36" class="fnanchor">36</a> This was written before my return from Senegal. It may be +noticed, that the son has since declared war against the father.</p></div> + +<p>May I be permitted to observe, how extraordinary it is, that a prince so +little to be dreaded as the Emperor of Morocco, should oblige the +different powers of Europe to send ambassadors to him, and that he +should even dictate laws to them. There is not a single sovereign who +dares to send a representative to his court without making him at the +same time considerable presents; and what envoy would present himself +without having his hands full? When M. Chenier, envoy from the court of +France, delivered his despatches to the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>emperor, some thing in them had +given offence to him; he therefore wrapped them in a dirty handkerchief, +and hung them about the consul's neck, who was accordingly publickly +exposed to the mockeries and insults of that cruel nation. How happens +it that the consuls have not, by common consent, represented to their +respective sovereigns, that the Emperor of Morocco becomes every day +more and more powerful by the supplies which they themselves furnish +him? Twenty years ago, this prince was absolutely destitute of +resources. He had neither materials, nor any place for casting cannons; +and he was equally in want of wood for building ships, of ropes, of +nails, and even of workmen. It is France, and other European powers, +that assist him, else the Emperor of Morocco would be of little +consideration. His superb batteries of brass cannons, twenty-four, +thirty-six, and forty-eight pounders, were furnished by Holland, Spain, +England, and France. England has done more than other nations, by +selling him those beautiful cannons which were taken on the floating +batteries. Mogador, that part of it which is next to Morocco, is built +in an advantageous situation. Its batteries are well disposed, and there +are cannon at each embrasure; but they are there only in a manner for +show, as they have no carriages, and are supported only by brick work. +There are no workmen in the country capable of mounting them on +carriages, nor is there wood proper for making them. Did a few vessels +only wait for the sailing of those small frigates, which are almost all +unfit for sea, except only two, nothing would be easier than to prevent +them from returning, and to block up the ports of Mogador,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> Rabat, and +Sallee. What would become of his commerce, and, above all, his marine, +did the Christian princes cease to assist him, contrary to the interests +of humanity! Would England and Spain unite only for a moment, Tangiers, +his most beautiful port, would soon be so far ruined, that it could not +afford shelter to his subjects, who, destitute of ships, would soon be +obliged to give over their piracies.</p> + +<p>If the consuls of different nations have never made these observations, +and if they have never pointed out the means of curbing the insolence of +the Emperor of Morocco, it is because they are at the head of the +commerce which these different powers carry on in that part of the +world. The Spanish consul bought up almost all the corn of the country, +and ships were sent off with it, according to his consignments. The +French consul is the only one who does not engage in commerce. I can +positively assert, that these representatives, instead of furnishing +their courts with the means of diminishing the power of the emperor, +never cease to add to his strength, and to incite him to make new +pretensions. How much we assist these pirates to hurt the advantageous +trade which we might carry on! Their situation renders them very +dangerous; but if we leave them only their situation, it would be +impossible for them to profit much by it. Let impartial people pay a +visit to that country—let them speak with the same sincerity as I do, +and they will no doubt be convinced that the Emperor of Morocco, of all +the princes in the world, would be the least able to do mischief, did +the sovereigns of Europe cease to furnish him with succours.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span></p> + +<p>At length, the hour came, when my chains were to be broken off. One day +the prince, on coming out of the mosque, gave the consul to understand, +that he wished him to attend with his slaves, in the court where he held +his <i>Mechoir</i> (a kind of public audience). "Consul," said he to M. +Durocher, "I hope that you will not be like your predecessor, whose +haughtiness displeased me exceedingly. Observe this young man (pointing +to the vice-consul), he is pleasant and complaisant. He constantly +endeavours to please me. I wish you to imitate him. I have desired it of +you. You must write to your master, that I am satisfied with his +presents. Adieu, retire a little with the slaves which I have <i>given +you</i>.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">37</a> Choose any of my ports which may be most convenient for your +embarkation. Adieu, I go to name the officers of my court, who will +accompany you to the place of the consular residence."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37" class="fnanchor">37</a> We were seven in number, viz. myself, the baker, and five +others, belonging to the ship (<i>Les Deux Amis</i>) the Two Friends, which +had been shipwrecked some time before us.</p></div> + +<p>It was customary at these audiences, for the emperor to take cognizance +of all the affairs of police. He appeared mounted upon a white horse, +caparisoned with a scarlet and blue cloth; gold tassels hung round the +crupper. A squire walked at the side of the sovereign, who held in his +hand a long pole, at the end of which was an umbrella, to defend his +majesty from the heat of the sun. The guard followed them on foot in +great silence. Every thing announced fear. A look from the sovereign +every where spread consternation. At his least word, he saw the head of +one or more of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>his subjects fall without the least emotion. The culprit +is lifeless, ere the last words of the sentence are out of his mouth. +However, I never knew a rich man, who could buy his favour, suffer +death, be his crime what it might.</p> + +<p>What can be thought of a prince, who, upon an idea which had been +suggested to him, that I was doubtless a Christian, more remarkable than +the rest, because I was better drest, and the consul paid me more +attention, forget every thing he had promised, and sent orders to +Mogador, to arrest me, and send me back to Morocco? Happily the winds +had wafted me to too great a distance, when the messenger came to +signify to the governor his master's pleasure.</p> + +<p>I may therefore say that misfortune followed me to the last. I had +certainly sunk under my misfortunes as well as my companions, had I not +been supported by a steady firmness, and an unlimited confidence in +Divine Providence. I must not forget to mention, that before my +departure, Sidy Sellem went away abundantly satisfied with the +generosity of the consul.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>I did not wish to interrupt my narrative, as I thought it would be more +proper, that it should be followed with my various observations on the +religion, manners, usages, &c. of a people, who are very little known, +and who, for that reason, may become very interesting. Fatal experience +has put it in my power to represent <span title="Transcriber's Note: "then" changed to "them"">them</span>. The reader may rest assured, +that I will be no less guided by truth, in the description which I am +now to lay<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> before him, than I have been in the preceding recital of my +particular adventures.</p> + +<p>The Arabs of the Desert follow the religion of Mahomet; but they have +entirely disfigured it by the grossest superstitions. They live +constantly wandering in the midst of the dry sands of Africa. There are +certain colonies of them who traverse continually the borders of the +sea, without having any fixed dwelling. They are distributed into +tribes, more or less considerable. Every tribe is divided into hordes, +and every horde encamps in the districts which appear most likely to +furnish pasturage for the support of their cattle, and that in such a +manner, that one tribe is never wholly united. They are thus frequently +intermixed with certain villages of the tribes of the Ouadelims, +Labdesseba, La Loussye, Lathidium, Chelus, Tucanois, Ouadelis, &c. The +two first are the most formidable—they carry their ravages to the very +gates of Morocco. It is not therefore without reason that the Emperor +fears them. They are in general tall, handsome, stout and vigorous men. +They have commonly bristled hair, a long beard, a furious look, large +hanging ears, and their nails as long as claws; they always use their +nails in the wars wherein they are almost constantly engaged with their +neighbours. The Ouadelims, in a particular manner, are fierce, arrogant, +warlike, and given to plunder; they carry terror and dread with them +wherever they go. However, like the other Arabs, their courage commonly +fails them, when they have not a decided superiority.</p> + +<p>All these colonies lodge by families, in tents, covered with a thick +cloth made of camels hair. It is the women who spin their cloth, and +weave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> it upon a loom, so small, that they work it sitting upon the +ground. The furniture of their dwellings, consists of two large leather +sacks, which answer the purpose of keeping all their old clothes, and +any pieces of old iron; of three or four goat-skins (if they can procure +as many), in which they keep their milk and water; of some wooden +dishes, some pack-saddles for their camels, two large stones for +grinding their barley, a smaller one to drive in the pikes of their +tents, an osier matting which serves for a bed, a thick carpet for a +covering, and a small kettle. These are the pieces of furniture which +distinguish the rich from the poor. Their flocks, by which their riches +are estimated, consist of two or three horses, several camels, some +sheep and goats. The less fortunate have goats and sheep only.</p> + +<p>The principal part of their devotions, and that which they observe with +the greatest attention, is prayer. There are different kinds of it: the +first commences always before sun-rising. The Talbe is distinguished by +the length of his beard, a piece of woollen cloth, half white and half +crimson, which he leaves loose and flowing about his body, and under +which appears a figure, exhausted by fasting, (the consequence of +excessive laziness), and a kind of chaplet of an enormous size. He +raises a sad and lamentable voice, which one would be ready to suppose +to be that of a pious and contrite man, but which is, in fact, that of a +hypocrite. Girt with a poignard, he seeks the place where his perfidious +arm can, with assurance, aim the blow with which he wishes to pierce the +heart of his neighbour, his friend, and often his brother. By his +uncouth sounds, he calls his peo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>ple to come and range themselves under +his banner, to hear the praises of the Prophet. They all run up to him +with a holy respect; but before the priest begins his prayer, they throw +off a little coat, which they wear fastened to their girdle, and in +which they are wrapped, as it is the drapery of which their clothing +consists. The Talbe afterwards bows himself towards the ground. He +removes with his hands that upon which his feet were placed; then takes +up a handful of the sand which has not been dirtied, and in place of +water, rubs with it his face, hands and arms up to the elbows, in order +to purify himself from all his uncleanness. The people follow his +example.</p> + +<p>When the prayer is ended, they stop for some time, sitting squat-down +behind, and trace different figures upon the sand with their fingers, +and turn them round their head, as if sprinkling themselves with a holy +unction. The savages, while thus employed, show as much exterior piety +and respect as we can do in our churches. I do not believe, however, +that it is possible to make a greater jest of religion than they do, +when their prayers are ended. The women, who only attend the morning +matins, and those which they go about at ten o'clock at night, place +themselves at the gate of their tents, and keep themselves with their +faces towards the east.</p> + +<p>When the first part of their religious exercise is performed, their next +business is the milking of the flocks. They begin with the she-camels, +giving them a great many blows with their feet, until they make them +rise. As soon as they are on their legs, they take off from their udder +a kind of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> covering made of ropes worked together, which is intended to +prevent the young camel from sucking. The young one then runs up to its +mother, and, by its caresses, prepares her to yield her milk in greater +abundance. The master and the keeper of the flock watch the moment when +the lips of the young camel are covered with a white foam: they then +separate it from its mother; and each resting his head on different +sides against the animal's belly, they press the udder, from which they +sometimes draw five pints of milk, when the rains have rendered the +earth fruitful. The keeper of the flock, after taking a few draughts +every time he milks, pours the rest into a vessel destined for that +purpose, and placed close by the side of his mistress; for he is allowed +no other nourishment than the milk which he draws from the last of the +camels. When all the milk is thus collected, the mistress puts aside her +part, which is never the least; then serves her husband and his +children; and lays up the rest in a goat's skin, which she leaves +exposed to the sun before the milk be made into butter. Three or four +hours after, the young girls bring from the fields the sheep and the +goats. The mother, who is always present at the last milking, mixes the +milk procured by it with that of the camels; and when the sun has +sufficiently warmed it, they separate the cream from it, in order to +make butter. What remains, serves as drink for the rest of the day. When +the butter is made, they put it into small skins, where it acquires a +strong smell, which, according to the taste of these barbarians, adds to +its value. The women use it for greasing their hair: without this they +would think something deficient in their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> dress. One cannot believe to +what excess they carry their coquetry. They dress their hair with great +art. They keep it flowing in tresses upon their breasts, and fasten to +it any thing they can find. I have seen some of them ornament it with +shell-work, keys of chests, and padlocks, rings of umbrellas, and +buttons of trowsers, which they have taken from sailors.</p> + +<p>When their head-dress is thus so far prepared, they cover it with a +greasy cloth, which surrounds their head, covers the one half of their +nose, and ties below their chin. To give a brilliancy to their eyes, +they comb the eye-lashes with a great copper needle, which they have +rubbed upon a blue stone. Next comes the adjustment of their drapery; +and here all the art lies in plaiting it neatly, and so as to keep the +folds, in doing which they employ neither pins, cords, nor sewing. But +that the work of the toilette may be complete, they paint the nails of +their feet and hands with a reddish colour. A Moorish woman, who wishes +to be considered as a beauty, must have long teeth shooting out of her +mouth; the flesh from the shoulder to the elbow loose and flabby; their +limbs, thighs and body, prodigiously thick; their gait slow and cramped. +They have bracelets like the collar of great Danish dogs upon their arms +and legs. In a word, they labour from their infancy to efface any +beauties for which they are indebted to nature, and to substitute in +their room ridiculous and disagreeable whims. They have no other dress +in all their wardrobe than what I have described. To add to the +inconveniences to which these women are subjected, let us only reflect, +that the same linen on which they are deli<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>vered of a child, they +receive its nastiness and blow their noses in; it is impossible to form +an idea sufficiently disgusting, of the nastiness and horrid smell of +the Moorish women.</p> + +<p>Could one suppose that these hideous women are addicted to jealousy and +evil-speaking? It is, however, a truth. One of them has, perhaps, +occasion to go and borrow something from her neighbour. If she meets the +husband, she veils her face, and presently with a trembling air enters +the tent. But if the woman is by herself, she begins to speak all the +evil she can of any neighbour who is better drest. This conversation +goes on, when perhaps a third enters, who does not fail to lay in her +word, in such a manner, as that the one half of the day is spent in evil +speaking; and she very frequently goes away, probably without +recollecting to seek what she came to borrow. Laziness and gluttony are +also their favourite sins. They will expose themselves to numberless +affronts, in order to procure a little camel or goat's flesh, when they +know that it is dressing in any person's house. Their favourite morsel +is the liver.</p> + +<p>The men are addicted to almost the same vices. They commonly pass the +whole day stretched out upon a netting to sleep, to smoke, or to clean +themselves from vermin which torment them. The women have generally +committed to their care those employments which the men would otherwise +find no hesitation in doing reciprocally. There can be no cause of +surprise that the whole country is infected with vermin. They content +themselves with throwing them down, without taking the trouble to +destroy them. Notwithstanding all my precaution, my beard was always +filled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> with them, and I may safely say it was none of the least of my +sufferings during my captivity.</p> + +<p>The men meet together sometimes in the day time, to entertain one +another with their warlike exploits. Every one recites the number of +enemies whom he has conquered. A ridiculously false story is almost +constantly followed by a charge of lying; a quarrel is the consequence; +and the conversation is generally terminated with some blows of the +poignard. They can never agitate even the most indifferent question, +without having their eyes inflamed with rage. Fury is depicted in every +the least motion, and they cannot even converse upon domestic affairs, +without roaring and yelling hideously.</p> + +<p>Perfidy and treachery are two innate vices of the Arabs. It is for this +reason they never stir from their tents unarmed. They never make any +agreements in writing, well assured that he who receives an obligation +would poignard him to whom he signed it, to cancel his debt; and +therefore they always carry hung to their neck, a little leather purse, +in which they carry about with them whatever they consider as precious. +Although they keep nothing in their tents under lock and key, yet I have +seen some of them having small chests; these coffers, which often do not +contain the value of a small crown, are an object of desire to the whole +colony—I must not even except the brother, father, nor son of the +proprietor. My master's brother was particularly envious on account of +the small booty with which I had enriched his brother. He proposed to me +one day, as a very simple matter, that I should<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> kill him during the +night. He offered me his poignard, and promised to conduct me to Morocco +when I had committed the crime. However discontented I then was with my +situation, this proposal shocked me—it struck me with horror. However, +it was soon renewed to me, with entreaties, by one of Sidy Mahammet's +uncles, who, of all his relations, appeared to be most attached to him. +I have frequently seen this man steal into my master's tent during the +night, in order to carry off some old iron, or leather thong. This same +man was one of the most considerable in the village. He was consulted in +their different disputes, and his judgment was always deemed weighty by +the poor—the rich paid little attention to any man's opinion.</p> + +<p>Among the first lessons that they teach their young folks, are, to be +expert in using the poignard, to tear the entrails of their enemy with +their nails, and to give to a falsehood the semblance of truth. Those +who to these talents add that of reading and writing, become very +dangerous monsters, and thus acquire a very great ascendancy over their +companions. It may be justly said, that they are from their infancy +familiarized with vice, and equally happy in committing a bad or good +action.</p> + +<p>According to the custom of the country, every stranger Arab, to whatever +district or tribe he belongs, known or unknown, is entitled to their +hospitality. If there are many travellers, they all contribute towards +the expense of their entertainment. All, without distinction, go out to +meet a stranger, and welcome him upon his arrival, assist him in +dismounting from his beast, and carry his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> baggage behind the bush, +which is to defend him from the rigour of the night; for it is an +established custom, that no stranger is admitted into their tent. This +ceremony over, they sit down around the new comer; inquire of him the +news of the country, whence he comes, and if the party have evacuated +the places where they were encamped; if he fell in with any other person +in districts more or less remote; and likewise if he found plenty of +pasturage in the places through which he passed. When they have got an +answer to these different questions, they then inquire to what tribe he +belongs; but they never think of inquiring about his own health or +welfare, till they are satisfied as to the other questions.</p> + +<p>If no person is acquainted with the stranger in the horde which he +visits, the richest among them entertain him. If there are many of them, +the expense, as I have already said, becomes common. They serve to each +a large bowl of milk, and of barley meal mixed with boiled milk, or +water when it can be had. If the stranger can read, they give him the +honour of saying prayers; in which case the Talbe of the village places +himself by his side, as master of the ceremonies. This sums up all his +entertainment, if he is a stranger little known among them; but if has +any friends in the horde, or known to be rich, they quickly kill a good +ram, or a fat sheep, to regale him. The women prepare the banquet; and +while they are dressing the flesh, they serve up the fat first raw. So +soon as the meat is ready, they begin by laying aside a portion for the +husband; then that which they appoint for any of their neighbours, with +whom they live on good terms. If this attention was neglected, it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> would +be an irreparable fault. They then place, with care, the travellers mess +upon a truss of straw. The Arab who is the entertainer, causes a +<span title="Transcriber's Note: "Christain" changed to "Christian"">Christian</span> slave or negro, to follow him, carrying on his head the repast +for the guest, which however is not set before him till ten o'clock at +night, although perhaps he arrived early in the morning. Their practice +is to give nothing to eat, till night, when they feast either by the +light of a clear moon, or by a great fire, for they must have fire in +almost every season of the year. The traveller never fails earnestly to +entreat the person who brings him his mess, to do him the honour of +eating with him, but he generally declines it as much as possible, and +his refusal is founded on respect for his guest.</p> + +<p>The next morning the travellers pursue their journey, without taking +leave of any person whatever. This manner of entertaining one another +would be surely very commendable, were it not for the many stratagems +which they make use of to avoid it. When an unknown stranger appears, +they sometimes place at a little distance from their tent a camel's +saddle, a mat, a gun and a little bundle, all seeming to intimate the +baggage of some traveller who has alighted from his horse; but often +these precautions do not hinder the stranger from settling beside the +same baggage. The chief comes to declare that they belong to some Arab +of a neighbouring village; but as this is a plan with which they are all +equally acquainted, the visitor generally is not discouraged, he remains +there; but in this case they revenge themselves on his importunity, by +giving him a very slender portion of victuals. Then he keeps a sharp +look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>out, and if he sees any fire, he runs towards it in the hope of +getting some flesh or broth. He takes great care to keep himself at +first concealed behind the tent, in order to overhear what passes there, +and to discover if they are at victuals; for they are at great pains, in +order to prevent such visits, to take away very speedily the three +stones which support the kettle; and in this case his plan succeeds, +since they never see any person pass without inviting him to enter and +partake of the feast. It often happens that, while the gormandizing goes +on, they steal from behind the bush the effects which he secreted there; +but this is only one trick for another, for he takes the first +opportunity of paying them home in their own coin.</p> + +<p>It is difficult to form a just idea of the pride and ignorance of these +people. They not only imagine that they are the first people in the +world, but they have the presumption to believe that the sun rises only +for them. Several of them have repeatedly said to me, "Behold that +luminary! which is unknown in thy country. During the night thou art not +enlightened, as we are, by that heavenly body, which regulates our days +and our fasts. His children<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">38</a> point out to us the hours of prayer. You +have neither trees nor camels, sheep, goats, nor dogs. Are your women +made like ours?"—"How long didst thou remain in the womb of thy +mother?" said another. "As long," replied I, "as thou in that of +thine."—"Indeed!" replied a third, counting my fingers and toes, "he is +made like us; he differs only in his colour and language, which +astonishes me."—"Do you sow barley in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>your houses?" meaning our ships. +"No," answered I; <span title="Transcriber's Note: Quotation mark added before "we"">"</span>we sow our fields almost in the same season as +you."—"How!" cried out several of them, "do you inhabit the earth? We +believed that you were born and lived on the sea." Such were the +different questions I had to answer, when I had the honour of their +conversation.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38" class="fnanchor">38</a> Thus they name the stars.</p></div> + +<p>War among them is nothing else than robbery; therefore they never engage +in it, but in the view of indulging their sloth, when they have pillaged +the flocks, and ravaged the fields before they are reaped. One day that +the fields were covered with the whole flocks of the village, one of the +keepers ran up, quite out of breath, to inform us that some squadrons of +the Ouadelims had appeared upon the top of the hills, with an apparent +intention of carrying off the cattle. Immediately the drum<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">39</a> beat, all +ran to arms, and advanced towards the enemy. The riders on horseback are +enveloped in a cloud of dust. The camel, who has a very long step, is +almost as agile. Pushed on by the roaring cries of his rider, he darts +into the crowd, and makes a more terrible carnage by his bites than all +the musketry. They never make an attack drawn up in line of battle. +Every warrior has his own particular combatant. He who throws his +adversary on the ground, or who carries off his arms or his beast, +retires precipitately with the fruit of his victory. Others, if they +think they are the stronger party, lay hold on them, give <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>them several +blows with a poignard, or trail out their entrails with their horrid +claws. The person who to-day is possessed of considerable riches in +bestial, may find himself reduced to-morrow to extreme poverty, and +stripped by him who, the preceding day, had no property at all. The +weakest tribes, who are in consequence most exposed, are careful to live +at a considerable distance, especially from the Ouadelims and +Labdesseba. I have seen some of these two tribes, sometimes before +leaving their country, begin their ravages in the neighbourhood of +Arguin, which they call Agadir, and carry them even to the gates of +Morocco.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39" class="fnanchor">39</a> This great drum is committed to the charge of one of the +most considerable inhabitants. It is used on different occasions; +sometimes to call to arms, sometimes to inform that an Arab is +bewildered in the Desert, and at other times that the camels are lost.</p></div> + +<p>In general, they cultivate no other grain but barley, and sometimes +wheat, when there has been plenty of rain. But after three years of +drought, their fields producing nothing, their method is to carry the +horrors of war into more fortunate countries, and there seize from their +brethren the fruits of their labour and industry. It thus happens that +plentiful crops fall into the hands of ferocious men, who are more +disposed to fight, than to labour for their subsistence.</p> + +<p>When the battle is over, each party dig graves for the slain. The +Talbes, being desired to repair to the place stained with the blood of +their brethren, ran up to perform the duties of their function. These +consist in pronouncing some plaintive sounds upon a few handfuls of sand +gathered together in a shell, and sprinkling it upon the unhappy persons +whom they prepare for death, by placing their thumb upon their forehead, +as if they were applying some holy oil, and conclude with throwing upon +their bodies a scarf and chaplet. When they expire, they stretch them in +a grave,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> always carefully laying them on the left side, with their face +towards the east, as if to contemplate the tomb of their prophet. They +then enclose the tomb with great stones heaped upon one another, which +serve as a monument to these pillaging soldiers. The ages of their +warriors are distinguished by the space of ground which their coffin +occupies. The women, bathed in tears, come to throw themselves around +these mausoleums. Their gestures, wry faces, and harmonious sobs, form a +very ridiculous spectacle. A traveller should never pass before these +tombs, without depositing there his staff; and, after a short prayer, he +raises around the tomb heaps of stones, which are evidences of the vows +he has made for the repose of his soul.</p> + +<p>After these funeral rites, cries of desolation resound through the +village. Every person mingles tears with those of the afflicted +relations. The tent of the deceased is conveyed to another place. All +his effects are exposed to the open air; and one of the fattest rams is +slain to comfort the relations and friends, who offer it to the deceased +in sacrifice. The repast being ended, they bury all differences. The day +after the battle, I have seen them pay visits to one another. He who has +dangerously wounded his neighbour the day before, goes to see him, and +converses with him on the dexterity with which he seized the favourable +moment to strike the blow. But what I consider as most extraordinary is, +that earth is their only cure for the deepest wounds. From whatever +place they take the earth, the effect is the same. In order to heal +their pains, they have recourse to another expedient, which however does +not always prove equally efficacious; that is, to apply red hot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> iron to +the part affected. Indeed, these Arabs are subject to few diseases. I +have seen many old people, of both sexes, who were oppressed with no +kind of infirmity. Sore eyes, and colics, are the most usual disorders +among them. Children, above all, are exposed to these, though in other +respects strong and robust. In the morning it is difficult for them to +open their eyelids. With regard to the colic, I think it is occasioned +by the verdigris which is mixed with every thing they eat or drink. The +reason of its not occasioning more sudden disasters, is, perhaps, the +large quantities of milk which they use. The kettles in which they cook +their victuals are not tinned; they never wash them, on account of the +scarcity of water; so that they remain covered with a crust of +verdigris, which they do not scrape away even when they scour them with +sand. During my stay among them, I was desirous of taking that charge, +and of rubbing, until I should clear the verdigris entirely away. But +they absolutely forbad me, telling me that I should wear their kettle. +It is therefore impossible but that victuals kept in such vessels must +prove prejudicial to their health.</p> + +<p>It sometimes happens that the fields of these barbarians are covered +with plentiful crops. But instead of waiting till the grain attains to +maturity, they cut it down, and dry it over hot cinders; without +reflecting that, by pursuing this method, they deprive themselves of +that abundance which is necessary for the support of their families, and +of straw to feed their cattle, which, for the most part, are reduced to +the necessity of browzing on dry branches of trees; and that they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> +themselves are often obliged to eat the saddles and girths from the +backs of their camels. I could not see, without regret, the little care +which these barbarians take in preparing the earth. They leave the seed +between heaps of stones, and among bushes, the parched roots of which +absorb all the moisture of the ground, on which the waters leave a kind +of mud very proper for assisting early vegetation. The person who is +employed to till the ground, repairs to those spots which the rain has +principally moistened, and scatters the seed here and there +indifferently; after which, he turns up the earth with a plough drawn by +one camel, which consequently makes a furrow of very little depth. If +the moisture of the clouds happens to second his labour, each retires +with his portion to some rock or cavern. In passing through more fertile +cantons, I have found under my feet sheaves of corn, the full ears of +which invited the most opulent Arab to collect them. Others, heaped one +upon another, remained exposed to the injuries of the weather, because +the proprietor found himself provided with enough to last him until the +season when the vapours attracted by the mountains should fall down in +torrents, and overflow the valleys.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible," reasoned I with myself, "that any of mankind are in +such a state of ignorance, as to make so little improvement of the +blessings of Providence? How happy would I think myself with any kind of +food suited to my taste!" I have at times taken a few handfuls of this +barley, and, having cleaned the grain by rubbing it in my hands, I then +eat it with inexpressible pleasure. On such occasions, I could have +imagined that I was transported where the manna rained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> down from the +sky for the support of the Israelites in the wilderness.</p> + +<p>From any thing I could ever learn from the Arabs with whom I lived, they +are wholly strangers to every kind of industrious labour, and equally +unwilling to be instructed. They have only two artisans among them, and +these they regard with a kind of veneration, and doubtless with +astonishment, when they see them imitate in any manner the works of +foreigners, for they themselves are incapable of doing any thing. A +wheelwright and a blacksmith were in possession of the whole arts and +sciences of the country. The knowledge of the first was exercised in +making wooden dishes, mortars, and ploughs; but he has never yet been +able to give to that instrument of agriculture that shape which is +proper, and would make it easy for the hand of the labourer. The other +labours with strength of arm upon iron, and is equally ignorant of its +good and bad qualities. I have frequently seen him heat his iron many +times in the fire till he had exhausted all its virtue, and then he was +obliged to give it up, without making any thing of it; and if at other +times he was more fortunate, he never produced more than a clumsy +resemblance of the article which he wished to imitate. The same artisan +wrought with equal confidence in precious metals. My master one day +brought to him the chain of gold which I had given him, with orders to +make rings of it for his daughter. The ignorant fellow, after having +examined it, pretended that it was not gold. He compared it with a piece +of a mixed metal, which he had procured from one of our wrecks, and +which he insisted was pure gold. To support his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> assertion, he remarked +that mine was of various colours, but his was real metal, and of a +yellower hue. In short, after several remarks and dissertations equally +ridiculous as ill founded, he came to the resolution of making a hole in +a piece of charcoal, in which he enclosed it; and after having blown the +fire well, he was lucky enough to melt it, and to form rings as large as +the round of a snuff-box. His genius was generally admired, and he got a +bowl of butter-milk for his reward.</p> + +<p>What pains did I not take to teach them a method of grinding their +barley with more ease, and of fanning it! How much have I laboured to +instruct them how to load their camels, with more equal weight on both +sides, in such a manner as not to hurt their sides, and to keep their +instruments from being in continual danger of being broken, by falling +to the ground! I wished to make them take more pains in labouring the +earth, and gather in their harvest with more care; in short, I wished to +polish them, but my attempts were vain; they are more conceited than +their camels, (which is by no means saying little;—much have I suffered +from these animals during the thirteen months I kept them!) What +evidences do they give in every thing they undertake of their want of +capacity! It is not possible to root out their prejudices, or correct +their ill habits. I have seen in the hands of the smith the flourish of +a gun-lock, with which he laboured fifteen whole days. When he had +finished his work, I told him that it was so ill fitted to the case, +that the person to whom it belonged could not make use of it without +running great risks. All the by-standers wished me to make a trial of +it, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> I declined it. The workman, however, through the abundance of +his self-conceit, would try it himself, and accordingly it carried off +part of his jaw-bone and hand. I was convinced from what I had seen, +that this gunsmith's want of skill was the occasion of many wounds which +they received in battle.</p> + +<p>Often did they question us, if there was not a gunsmith among us. They +seemed to think I was one from the observations which I had made. Their +arms are in the worst condition imaginable. They are in general exported +guns which the Arabs of the tribe of Trargea get in barter for camels. +Some tribes have procured them from ships which have been wrecked on +their coasts, and some bring them so far as from Morocco. These last are +more substantial, but so difficult to manage, that they prefer those +from Europe; and, above all, double-barrelled guns. There is not an Arab +who would not cheerfully give a Christian slave for one of these guns. +When they need repair, it is done with iron which they have abstracted +from ships. I was at first astonished to see with what eagerness they +staved barrels of spirits (<i>aquavitæ</i>) for the sake of their iron hoops. +I could not have supposed they could have made use of such wretched iron +for that purpose. If metal and guns are objects of such value in their +eyes, one can readily conceive that stones, balls, lead and powder, are +far from being of little consequence with them. They can very well +distinguish good powder from bad. There is a powder manufactory in the +little city of Guadnum; but it is so coarse and bad, as to have often<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> +very little effect, sometimes none at all. It clogs and dirties the gun; +and for want of oil, they are often obliged to grease them with butter.</p> + +<p>If we may except these crimes which they endeavour to commit under +night, these people never make a mystery of their actions. If any of +them are proposing to take a long journey, they inform the whole +village, who meet together to give their best advice to the traveller. +Every one puts in his word, even children of fourteen years, who speak +with as much confidence as an old man could do in proposing an affair of +importance. These conferences, which they hold together for the purposes +of either condemning or approving of one another's schemes, are +sometimes prolonged for a whole month. In the same manner they consult +about changing their encampment, or removing the camels to the +sea-coast. This last matter is always very long of being decided upon, +on account of the distance, and of what they must suffer in being +deprived of milk till the return of these animals. It is true, that, in +such cases, those who do not send away their camels supply those that +are in want, but it is always in the view of being fully repaid, as they +express it themselves. They never manifest such joy as on the return of +the flocks. They come back with their interior well filled with water; +and although it has contracted a taste and smell exceedingly +disagreeable, it is however so scarce, that they drink it with much +enjoyment.</p> + +<p>Every person in Europe supposes that a dog would run mad if deprived of +drink. In the deserts of Arabia, where the heat is excessive, they never +drink any, and commonly live on excrement.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> The camels will subsist four +months without tasting a drop of water. The goats and sheep drink still +less. Indeed, if it were not for the horses, the Arabs would never go in +search of water; they would wait on that which falls from the sky. The +rains, which usually fall about the month of October, spread an +universal joy. They keep all their holidays at this period. You can form +no idea of this general happiness, having never experienced this want.</p> + +<p>A husband cannot divorce his wife, without the previous permission of +the old men of the village, who never refuse it. The women are on all +occasions treated with the greatest contempt. They never assume the name +of their husband, but retain that which was given them at their birth. +The children are not even called by their father's name. In almost all +the colonies in which I have been conversant, there are only four or +five different names in use among them. They are distinguished by that +of their tribe, or some other surname. When an Arab sets out on a long +journey, his spouse, after having received his adieu, follows him about +twenty paces from his dwelling, and throws after him the stone, which is +used for driving in the pikes of their tent, and, in the place where it +lies, she buries it in the sand till his return. It is thus she +expresses her good wishes for a successful journey to him.</p> + +<p>Although the women behave very indecently, both in their words and +actions, they are however faithful to their husbands. It is difficult to +reconcile the tenderness which they show towards their children, and the +barbarity with which they correct them, especially the daughters, who +are much<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> neglected both by the father and mother. However, it is in +their appearance that they display their opulence. They ornament their +ears, arms and legs, with rings of gold and silver. They put so much +alloy in their silver, that it is little else than whitened copper. The +poorer class make use of no other metal than this.</p> + +<p>Nothing can exceed the joy of the parents upon the birth of a son. They +think it is a very lucky circumstance when the mother is delivered +without assistance from either male or female; thus it frequently +happens that she is delivered alone. She is stretched out upon the sand, +and when the child is born, takes a drop of milk to strengthen her, and +remains lying on the ground, in a wretched tent, which scarcely defends +her from the weather.</p> + +<p>Every woman, on the birth of a son, as a demonstration of her joy, +blackens her face for forty days. When a daughter is born, she only +daubs the half of her face, and that for twenty days. If the poor +infants could only see what a hideous appearance their mother makes, +they would not come near her breast. I never in my life saw so shocking +a sight.</p> + +<p>I could never keep in temper to see the cruelty with which these women +use their children, even while at the breast. They give them great blows +with their fist upon the back, to make them sleep; and, to prevent their +crying, pinch them unmercifully, and twist their skin with their +fingers. I have seen these inhuman mothers set out with them the same +day they were delivered, to go to an encampment fifteen or twenty +leagues distant. They place them without care in a kind of cradle,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> +which is set on the top of a camel's load. As in this situation they are +very conspicuous, they endeavour to make a show, and eclipse one +another; for this purpose they decorate the bodies of their camels with +stripes of scarlet-coloured cloth, and white rags. The four stoops which +support the body of the cradle, are adorned with leaves of copper, gilt +with gold or silver.</p> + +<p>It is the women in general who lift the pikes of the tents, when their +husbands are resolved to move their camp. They also have the charge of +the camels under the inspection of their masters. When the husband +mounts his horse, it is his wife who holds the stirrup to him, although +she sometimes falls and hurts herself. This gives him little uneasiness, +provided, at his arrival, she is sufficiently recovered to attend him +with a bowl of butter-milk.</p> + +<p>I have often been shocked to see one of these Arabs (who, not being rich +enough to keep a horse, having been mounted above his packages), leave +to the affrighted women the trouble of lifting up again the load which +had been thrown over, while he went to lie at his ease behind a bush.</p> + +<p>Nothing can be more haughty than an Arab's behaviour to his wife, and +nothing more humble than that of a wife in the presence of her husband. +She is not allowed to eat with him, but, after having served him, she +retires till her husband calls upon her, to give her what he leaves.</p> + +<p>An Arab cannot, without incivility, enter into his neighbour's tent on +any account; he calls standing at the door, and the woman who hears him +vails herself immediately, in the same manner which she does when she +passes any person. A<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> husband would be much to blame, if, on entering +into his tent, he should lie down upon the mat which belongs to his +wife; he cannot enjoy this favour but when she is in bed. They are +indeed very attentive to their wives when with child. In every family +there is at least five or six children; and a plurality of wives being +permitted, one may easily conceive how soon these colonies become +considerable. No jealousy subsists between these rival wives, although +they all live under the same tent, and are witnesses of their husband's +embraces to each other.</p> + +<p>The lodging which is appointed for a new married couple is adorned with +a small white flag. The bridegroom wears around his brows a bandage of +the same colour; whether it be his first or fifth marriage, he is always +decorated with this mark of virginity, be his age what it may. The day +of the marriage ceremony, he causes a camel to be slain for the +entertainment of his guests. The women and children, without any +distinction, assemble round the drummer; while he, set upon the ground, +beats with his hand upon the instrument, and sounding through the other +hand like a trumpet, he adds to this horrid noise the beating of his +drum, and an iron chain which he moves with his arm. One person only +dances to these instruments. Without moving from his place, his arms, +his head and his eyes, follow the music. His body remains without any +perceptible motion. His hands waving before his body, form different +gestures, every one more indecent than another. All the spectators beat +time with their hands. With the neck bent forward, and the jaw-bone +turned sometimes to one side, and sometimes an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>other, they make a +thousand different wry faces, to which the dancing lady answers with an +astonishing precision. She finishes with gently reclining towards the +musician; the sounds of the instrument gradually become weaker; the eyes +of the actress are half closed; she gently presses her bosom; every +thing expresses violent passion. But it is not possible to give an idea +of what now passes, nor the air of indifference with which the woman, +who lately played a like part, joins her companions. The young people +form themselves into a circle, in the midst of which only one remains +standing on one leg, and with the other endeavours to defend himself +from the blows which they wish to aim at him; and the first whom he +strikes takes his place. This piece of dexterity is the only one with +which they are acquainted.</p> + +<p>The day following the marriage, they separate the new married bride from +her husband, and the friends who are present take water and wash her +from the middle to the feet. They then comb and dress her hair, paint +her nails red, and dress her with new linen. If she is not rich enough +to buy these things, they lend her what she needs till the end of the +feast.</p> + +<p>I have always considered as a fable, what I have been told of the +breasts of a Moorish woman, but am now convinced of my error. I have +<i>seen</i> (to cite no other examples), I have <i>seen</i>, I say, one of these +women teazed by one of her children, throw them one of her breasts with +such force, that it reached the ground.</p> + +<p>Their male children can scarcely walk, when the mother treats them with +the same respect as her husband, that is to say, prepares food for +them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> and will not eat herself till her son has been served. The Talbe +who teaches them to read and write, gives them instructions with a loud +voice; and as each of them is learning a different lesson, it occasions +a horrid noise. The lessons they give them are written upon small boards +of polished wood. One lesson learned, they efface it, and write another +upon it; they make their pen of a small piece of wood. Their ciphers +pretty much resemble ours.</p> + +<p>After what I have related of these barbarians, was it possible that I +should not be anxious to be again restored to my native country! We +complain when we change our dwellings; weep, when we part with friends; +are uneasy when we forget a handkerchief, or have a beard two days +without being shaved; and I have been a slave, naked, bit with vermin, +wounded in every part of my body, my bed among sand, either burning or +moist, for fourteen months. O Divine Providence! It is by Thee I have +been supported in what I have undergone, to Thee I have sacrificed my +sufferings, and from Thee I expect my reward.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PART_III" id="PART_III"></a>III.</h2> + +<h2>ACCOUNT OF THE ADVENTURES OF +MADAME GODIN DES ODONAIS,</h2> +<h3>IN PASSING DOWN THE RIVER OF THE AMAZONS,</h3> +<h3>IN THE YEAR 1770.</h3> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center">M. GODIN DES ODONAIS TO M. DE LA CONDAMINE.</p> + +<p style="text-align: right;"><i>St Amand, Berry, 28th July 1773</i>.</p> +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>,</p> + +<p>You require of me a narrative of the travels of my spouse along the +Amazons River, the same route I followed after you. The rumours which +have reached your ears of the dangers to which she was exposed, and +which she alone of eight persons surmounted, augment your curiosity. I +had resolved never to speak of them again, so painful to me was the +recollection of them; but, as an old companion in your travels, a +distinction which I prize, I cannot refuse, in return for the interest +you take in our welfare, and the marks of friendship you have shown me, +to give you the satisfaction you require.</p> + +<p>We landed at Rochelle on the 26th of June last, after a passage from +Cayenne, effected in sixty-five days, having left this last place on +the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> 21st of April. On our arrival, I made inquiries after you, and +learnt, with much grief, that four or five months had elapsed since you +were no more. While yet in tears, my wife and myself were delighted, on +wiping them away, to find that at Rochelle the literary journals, and +what regards the Academy, are far less read than the news which relates +to commerce. Accept, Sir, for yourself and Mad. de la Condamine, our +heartiest congratulations.</p> + +<p>You will recollect, that the last time I had the honour of seeing you in +1742, previous to your leaving Quito, I told you that I reckoned on +taking the same road that you were about to do, along the River of +Amazons, as much owing to the wish I had of knowing this way, as to +insure for my wife the most commodious mode of travelling, by saving her +a long journey over-land, through a mountainous country, in which the +only conveyance is on mules. You took the pains, in the course of your +voyage, to give information at the Spanish and Portuguese missions +established on its banks, that one of your companions would follow you; +and, though several years elapsed from the period of your leaving them, +this had not been forgotten. My wife was exceedingly solicitous of +seeing France; but her repeated pregnancies, for several years after +your departure, prevented my consent to her being exposed to the +fatigues incident on so long a voyage. Towards the close of 1748, I +received intelligence of the death of my father; and my presence thence +becoming indispensable for the arrangement of my family affairs, I +resolved on repairing to Cayenne by myself down the river; and planning +every thing on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> way to enable my wife to follow the same road with +comfort, I departed in March 1749 from the Quito, leaving Mad. Godin at +that time pregnant. I arrived at Cayenne in April following, and +immediately wrote to M. Rouillé, then minister of the navy, entreating +him to procure me passports and recommendations to the court of +Portugal, to enable me to ascend the Amazons, for the purpose of +proceeding to my family, and bringing it back with me by the same +channel. Any one but you, Sir, might be surprised at my undertaking thus +lightly a voyage of fifteen hundred leagues, for the mere purpose of +preparing accommodations for a second; but you will know that travels in +that part of the world are undertaken with much less concern than in +Europe; and those I had made during twelve years for reconnoitring the +ground for the meridian of Quito, for fixing signals on the loftiest +mountains, in going to and returning from Carthagena, had made me +perfectly a veteran. I availed myself of the opportunity afforded by the +conveyance which took my letters, to forward several objects relating to +natural history for the King's garden; among others, seed of the +Sarsaparilla, and of the five species of the Butua; with these also a +grammar, printed at Lima, of the language of the Incas, which I designed +as a present for M. de Buffon, from whom I received no answer. By that +with which I was honoured from M. Rouillé, I learnt that his Majesty had +been pleased to direct that the governor and intendant of Cayenne should +both furnish me with recommendations to the government of Para. Upon +this, I wrote to you, Sir, and you were so obliging<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> as to solicit +passports for me. You moreover favoured me with a letter of +recommendation from Commander La Cerda, minister of Portugal to France, +addressed to the governor of Para, with a letter from M. l'Abbé de la +Ville, which informed you that my passports had been expedited and +forwarded to Para. I inquired respecting them of the governor of that +place, who expressed his entire ignorance of the fact. I repeated my +letters to M. Rouillé, who then was no longer in the ministry. Since +that time I renewed my letters every year, four, five, and even six +times, for the purpose of obtaining my passports, and constantly without +effect. Many of my letters were lost, or intercepted, during the war, of +which I the less doubt, from your having ceased to receive any, +notwithstanding I regularly continued my correspondence. At length, +hearing casually that M. le Comte d'Herouvillo was in the confidence of +M. de Choiseul, I ventured, in 1765, to write to the former of these +noblemen, although I had not the honour of being known to him, +explaining, in a few words, who I was, and entreating him to intercede +with the Duc de Choiseul for the transmission of my passports. To the +kindness of this nobleman alone can I attribute the success that +followed this step; for, the tenth month from the date of my letter to +M. le Comte de Herouville, I saw a decked galliot arrive at Cayenne, +equipped at Para by order of the King of Portugal, manned with thirty +oars, and commanded by a captain of the garrison of Para, instructed to +bring me to Para, thence transport me up the river as high as the first +Spanish settlement, to await there till I returned with my family, and +ultimately re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>conduct me to Cayenne, all at the special charge of his +Most Faithful Majesty; a liberality truly loyal, and such as is little +common among sovereigns. We left Cayenne at the close of November 1765, +in order to take in property belonging to me at the fort of Oyapoc, +where I resided. Here I fell sick, and even dangerously so. M. de +Rebello, the captain, a knight of the order of Christ, was so +complaisant as to wait for me six weeks. Finding at length that I still +continued too ill to venture on the voyage, and fearful of abusing the +patience of this officer, I besought him to continue his route, and that +he would permit me to put some one on board, to whom I might intrust my +letters, and who might fill my place in taking care of my family on its +return. I cast my eyes on Tristan D'Oreasaval, a person whom I had long +known, and in whom I had confidence. The packet I intrusted to him +contained the orders of the Father-general of the Jesuits to the +Provincial of Quito, and the Superior of the missions of Maynas, for +furnishing the canoes and equipage necessary for the voyage of my +spouse. The instructions I gave to Tristan were simply to deliver those +letters to the Superior, resident at La Laguna, the capital of the +Spanish missions of Maynas, whom I entreated to forward my letters to +Riobamba, in order that my wife might receive information of the vessel +despatched by his Majesty of Portugal, at the recommendation of the King +of France, to bring her to Cayenne. Tristan was further directed to wait +an answer from Riobamba at Laguna. He sailed from Oyapoc on the 24th +January 1766, and arrived at Loreto, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> first establishment belonging +to Spain on ascending the river, in the month of July or August of the +same year. Loreto is a mission established below that of Pevas, since +the period of your coming down the river in 1743; nay, both this and the +Portuguese mission of Savatinga, above that of St Pablo, which was +before their last settlement up the river, have been founded since my +passage descending in 1749. The better to comprehend what I now +describe, it may be well you should cast your eyes over the chart made +by you of the course of the Amazons, or that of the province of Quito, +inserted in your Historical Journal of the Voyage to the Equator. The +Portuguese officer, M. de Rebello, after landing Tristan at Loreto, +returned to Savatinga, in conformity to the orders he had received of +waiting there until Madame Godin should arrive; and Tristan, in lieu of +repairing to Laguna, the capital of the Spanish missions, and there +delivering his letters to the Superior, meeting with a missionary +Jesuit, called Father Yesquen, who was on his return to Quito, by an +unpardonable oversight, which had every appearance of a bad intent, +delivered to his care the packet of letters. This was addressed to +Laguna, some days' journey from the spot where Tristan was; but instead +of attending to this circumstance, he sent it five hundred leagues +beyond, to the other side of the Cordilleras, and himself remained in +the Portuguese missions, carrying on trade.</p> + +<p>You will please to notice, that, besides different articles which I had +intrusted to him to dispose of for me, I had furnished him, in addition, +with more than sufficient to defray all expense in travelling through +the Spanish missions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> + +<p>In spite, however, of his bad conduct, a vague rumour obtained +circulation through the province of Quito, and reached the ears of +Madame Godin, not only of letters addressed to her being on their way in +the custody of a Jesuit, but also, that, in the uppermost missions of +Portugal, a vessel equipped by his Most Faithful Majesty had arrived to +transport her to Cayenne. Her brother, a monk of the order of Augustins, +in conjunction with Father Terol, a provincial Dominican, exerted +themselves much to induce the Provincial of the Jesuits to obtain these +letters. The Jesuit who received them at length made his appearance, and +stated he had delivered them to another; this other being interrogated, +replied, he had committed them to a third; but, notwithstanding the most +diligent inquiry, the letters never were found. With respect to the +arrival of the vessel, opinions differed, some giving credit to, while +others disputed the fact. To venture on a voyage of such length without +any certainty, and preparatory thereto to arrange all family affairs, +and part with her furniture, was what Madame Godin could not, without +much risk and imprudence, resolve upon. She determined on the +commendable medium of despatching a faithful negro, who departed with +some Americans, but who, in consequence of obstacles, was obliged to +return. His mistress sent him forward a second time with new +instructions, and means of surmounting the difficulties which had +prevented his progress before. More fortunate on this second trip, the +negro reached Loreto, saw and communicated with Tristan, and, returning, +acquainted Madame Godin of the reality of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> report, and that Tristan +was at Loreto. Upon this she determined on her journey, sold part of her +furniture, but left the rest, as well as her house at Riobamba, a garden +and estate at Guaslen, and another property of ours between Galté and +Maguazo, to her brother-in-law. Some idea of the length of time which +elapsed since the month of September 1766, at which epoch the letters +were delivered to the Jesuit, may be formed by computing how long the +journey of the reverend father to Quito must have occupied, how much +time would be lost in seeking the letters, in inquiry into the fact of +the rumour, in hesitating about what was best to be done, and in the two +journeys of the negro to Loreto and back to Riobamba, the sale also of +our effects, and the requisite preparations for a voyage of such length; +in fact, these prevented her setting out from Riobamba, forty leagues +south of Quito, before the 1st of October 1769.</p> + +<p>The arrival of the Portuguese vessel was rumoured at Guayaquil, and even +as far as the shore of the South Sea; for M. R., who reported himself to +be a French physician, coming from Upper Peru, and on his way to Panama +and Porto Bello, in the view of passing thence to Santo Domingo, +Martinico, or, at any rate, to the Havannah, and from that place to +Europe, touching at Point St Helena, learnt there that a lady of +Riobamba was on the point of setting out for the Amazons river, and +embarking thence in a vessel equipped by the order of his Portuguese +Majesty, to take her to Cayenne. This engaged him to change his route, +and ascending the Guayaquil river, he proceeded to Riobamba, to entreat +Madame Godin to grant him a pas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span>sage, undertaking, in return, to watch +over her health, and show her every attention. At first she answered, +that she had no authority to grant his request; but M. R. applying to +her two brothers, they represented to her so urgently that she might +have need of the assistance of a physician on so long a voyage, that she +at length consented to his accompanying her. Her two brothers, who +likewise were setting out for Europe, hesitated not an instant to avail +themselves of the opportunity which now offered of hastening their +arrival, the one at Rome, whither he was called by business relative to +his order, the other in Spain, where his private affairs required his +presence. The latter took with him a son about nine or ten years of age, +whom he wished to educate in France. M. de Grandmaison, my +father-in-law, went on before to obtain every possible accommodation for +his daughter on the road, to the point of embarkation beyond the Great +Cordillera. He at first met with obstacles from the president and +captain-general of the province of Quito, for you, Sir, are aware that +the passage by the Amazons is forbidden by the Spanish court; but these +difficulties were soon overcome. On my return from Carthagena, whither I +had been despatched on matters relative to our company in 1740, I +brought back with me a passport from the viceroy of Santa Fé, Don +Sebastian de Eslava, authorizing our taking whatever road we pleased; +and in consequence of the production of this, the Spanish governor of +the province of Maynas and Omaguas, informed of the approach of Madame +Godin, politely sent to meet her a canoe stored with refreshments, such +as fruit, milk, &c. which reached her at a little distance from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> the +town of Omaguas; but to what misfortunes, what a horrible situation was +she not exposed before that happy moment! She left her residence of +Riobamba with her escort on the 1st of October 1769; and with these she +reached Canelos, the spot at which they were to embark, situate on the +little river Bobonasa, which empties itself into the Pastaca, as this +last does into the Amazons. M. de Grandmaison, who preceded them a month +on the way, found the village of Canelos well inhabited, and immediately +embarked, continuing his journey, to prepare every thing necessary for +the transport of his daughter at each stage of her way. As he knew that +she was accompanied by her brothers, a physician, her negro, and three +female mulattoes or Americans, he proceeded on to the Portuguese +missions. In the interval, however, between his journey and the arrival +of my wife, the small-pox, an European importation, more fatal to the +Americans in this part than the plague, which is fortunately here +unknown, is to the people of Levant, had caused the village of Canelos +to be utterly abandoned by its population. They had seen those first +attacked by this distemper irremediably carried off, and had in +consequence dispersed among the woods, where each had his own hut, +serving as a country retreat. On her departure, my wife was escorted by +thirty-one American natives to carry herself and baggage. You know, Sir, +that this road, the same pursued by M. de Maldonada, is impracticable +even for mules; that those who are able effect the passage on foot, but +that others are carried. The Americans who escorted Madame Godin, who +were paid in advance, according to the bad custom in this coun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span>try, a +custom founded on mistrust, at times but too well founded, scarcely +reached Canelos before they retraced their steps, either from dread of +the air being infected, or from apprehension of being obliged to +embark,—a matter obnoxious in the extreme to individuals who had +perhaps never seen a canoe in their lives but at a distance. Nay, such +excuses are possibly superfluous, for you well know how often we are +abandoned by them on our mountains, on no pretence whatever. What, under +such circumstances, was to be done? Had my wife been able to return, yet +the desire of reaching the vessel waiting her, together with her anxiety +to rejoin a husband from whom she had been parted twenty years, were +incentives powerful enough to make her, in the peculiar circumstances in +which she was placed, brave even greater obstacles.</p> + +<p>In the village only two Indians remained free from the contagion. These +had no boat, but they engaged to construct one, and pilot it to the +mission of Andoas, about twelve days journey below, descending the river +of Bobonaza, a distance of from one hundred and forty to one hundred and +fifty leagues; she paid them beforehand. The canoe being finished, they +all departed from Canelos. After navigating the river two days, on the +succeeding morning the pilots absconded; the unfortunate party embarked +without any one to steer the boat, and passed the day without accident. +The next day at noon, they discovered a canoe in a small port adjoining +a leaf-built hut, in which was a native recovering from illness, who +consented to pilot them. On the third day of his voyage, while stooping +over to recover the hat of Mr K., which had fallen into the water, the +poor man fell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> overboard, and, not having sufficient strength to reach +the shore, was drowned. Behold the canoe again without a steersman, +abandoned to individuals perfectly ignorant of managing it. In +consequence, it was shortly overset, which obliged the party to land, +and build themselves a hut. They were now but from five to six days +journey from Andoas. Mr R. proposed to repair thither, and get off with +another Frenchman of the party, and the faithful negro belonging to +Madame Godin, taking especial care to carry his effects with him. I +since blamed my wife for not having despatched one of her brothers to +accompany Mr R., but found that neither of them, after the accident +which had befallen the canoe, were inclined to trust themselves on the +water again without a proper pilot. Mr R. moreover promised, that within +a fortnight a canoe should be forwarded to them with a proper complement +of natives. The fortnight expired, and even five-and-twenty days, when, +giving over all hopes, they constructed a raft on which they ventured +themselves, with their provisions and property. The raft, badly framed, +struck against the branch of a sunken tree, and overset, all their +effects perishing in the waves, and the whole party being plunged into +the water. Thanks to the little breadth of the river at this place no +one was drowned, Madame Godin being happily saved, after twice sinking, +by her brothers. Placed now in a situation still more distressing than +before, they collectively resolved on tracing the course of the river +along its banks. How difficult an enterprise this was, you, Sir, are +well aware, who know how thickly the banks of the rivers are beset with +trees, underwood, herbage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> and lianas, and that it is often necessary to +cut one's way. They returned to their hut, took what provisions they had +left behind, and began their journey. By keeping along the river's side, +they found its sinuosities greatly lengthened their way, to avoid which +inconvenience they penetrated the wood, and in a few days they lost +themselves. Wearied with so many days' march in the midst of woods, +incommodious even for those accustomed to them, their feet torn by +thorns and brambles, their provisions exhausted, and dying with thirst, +they were fain to subsist on a few seeds, wild fruit, and the palm +cabbage. At length, oppressed with hunger and thirst, with lassitude and +loss of strength, they seated themselves on the ground without the power +of rising, and, waiting thus the approach of death, in three or four +days expired one after the other. Madame Godin, stretched on the ground +by the side of the corpses of her brothers and other companions, +stupified, delirious, and tormented with choking thirst, at length +assumed resolution and strength enough to drag herself along in search +of the deliverance which providentially awaited her. Such was her +deplorable condition, she was without shoes, and her clothes all torn to +rags. She cut the shoes off her brothers' feet, and fastened the soles +on her own. It was about the period, between the 25th and 30th of +December 1769, that this unfortunate party (at least seven of the number +of them) perished in this miserable manner; the date I gather by what I +learn from the only survivor, who related that it was nine days after +she quitted the scene of the wretched catastrophe described before she +reached the banks of the Bobonasa. Doubtless this interval must have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> +appeared to her of great length; and how a female so delicately +educated, and in such a state of want and exhaustion, could support her +distress, though but half the time, appears most wonderful. She assured +me that she was ten days alone in the wood, two awaiting death by the +side of her brothers, the other eight wandering at random. The +remembrance of the shocking spectacle she witnessed, the horror incident +on her solitude and the darkness of night in a desert, the perpetual +apprehension of death, which every instant served to augment, had such +effect on her spirits as to cause her hair to turn grey. On the second +day's march, the distance necessarily inconsiderable, she found water, +and the succeeding day some wild fruit and fresh eggs, of what bird she +knew not, but which, by her description, I conjecture to have been a +species of partridge. These with the greatest difficulty was she enabled +to swallow, the œsophagus, owing to the want of aliment, having become +so much parched and straitened; but these and other food she +accidentally met with, sufficed to support her skeleton frame. At +length, and not before it was indispensable, arrived the succour +designed for her by Providence.</p> + +<p>Were it told in a romance that a female of delicate habit, accustomed to +all the comforts of life, had been precipitated into a river; that, +after being withdrawn when on the point of drowning, this female, the +eighth of a party, had penetrated into unknown and pathless woods, and +travelled in them for weeks, not knowing whither she directed her steps; +that, enduring hunger, thirst, and fatigue to very exhaustion, she +should have seen her two brothers, far more robust than her, a nephew +yet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> a youth, three young women her servants, and a young man, the +domestic left by the physician who had gone on before, all expire by her +side, and she yet survive; that, after remaining by their corpses two +whole days and nights, in a country abounding in tigers and numbers of +dangerous serpents, without once seeing any of these animals or +reptiles, she should afterwards have strength to rise, and continue her +way, covered with tatters, through the same pathless wood for eight days +together till she reached the banks of the Bobonasa, the author would be +charged with inconsistency; but the historian should paint facts to his +reader, and this is nothing but the truth. The truth of this marvellous +tale is attested by original letters in my hands, from many missionaries +on the Amazons, who felt an interest in this event, and by other proofs, +as will be seen in the sequel of this narrative. These misfortunes would +have been avoided altogether but for the infidelity of Tristan, but for +his neglect, instead of stopping at Loreto, of delivering, as +instructed, in person, my letters to the Superior at Laguna; with this +precaution, on his part, my wife would, as her father had done, have +found the village of Canelos peopled with natives, and a canoe ready to +convey her forward.</p> + +<p>To return, it was on the eighth or ninth day, according to Madame Godin, +after leaving the dreadful scene of the death of her companions, that +she found herself on the banks of the Bobonasa. At day-break she heard a +noise at about two hundred paces from her. Her first emotions, which +were those of terror, occasioned her to strike into the wood; but, after +a moment's reflection,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> satisfied that nothing worse, could possibly +befal her, than to continue in her present state, and that alarm was +therefore childish, she proceeded to the bank of the river, and +perceived two native Americans launching a boat into the stream. It is +the custom of these people, on their landing to pass the night, to draw +their canoe either wholly, or partially on shore, as a security against +accidents; for, should it be left afloat, and the fastening tackle +break, it would be carried away by the current, and leave the sleepers +on shore in a truly helpless state. The natives, perceiving Madame +Godin, advanced towards her, on which she conjured them to transport her +to Andoas. They had been driven by the contagion prevalent at Canelos, +to withdraw with their wives to a hut they had at a distance, and were +then going to Andoas. They received my wife on board with kindness truly +affectionate, showed every attention to her wants, and conducted her to +that village. Here she might have stopped some days to rest herself and +recruit her strength, (and well may it be conceived she had great need +of rest), but, indignant at the conduct of the missionary at whose mercy +she was left, and with whom for that reason she was obliged to +dissemble, she resolved on making no stay at Andoas, nor would even have +stopped a single night had it been possible to avoid it.</p> + +<p>A great revolution in the missions of Spanish America dependent upon +Lima, Quito, Charcas, and Paraguay, founded and administered by the +Jesuits, for from one to two centuries, had recently taken place. An +unexpected order from the court of Madrid expelled them from all their +colleges and missions; they had in consequence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> been every where +arrested, put on board, and transported to the Pope's dominions. This +event, however, had occasioned no more disturbance than would have done +the change of a village-rector. In lieu of them, the secular clergy were +substituted, of which class was the individual who officiated as +missionary at Andoas, an individual whose name I wish to banish from my +memory. Madame Godin, stripped of almost every thing, not knowing +otherwise how to testify her gratitude to the two Americans who had +saved her life, took from her neck two chains of gold, such as are +usually worn in this country, of about four ounces weight, and gave one +to each of them, whose admiration at the richness of the present +equalled that they would have experienced had the heavens opened before +them; but the missionary, in her very presence, took possession of the +chains, and gave the poor Americans in their room about three or four +yards of coarse cotton, such as is manufactured in the country, and +called Tucuyo. Conduct thus infamous exasperated my wife to such a +degree, that she instantly demanded a canoe and men, and the next day +set out for Laguna. A female American at Andaos made a cotton petticoat +for her, which she sent to pay for immediately on reaching Laguna, and +which she preserves with care, with the soles of the shoes of her +brothers, converted by her into sandals—mournful tokens, rendered dear +to me as they are to herself!</p> + +<p>While my wife was yet wandering in the woods, her faithful negro, with a +party of Americans from Andoas, ascended the river. M. R. thinking more +of his own affairs than forwarding the boat which should recal his +benefactors to life, scarcely reached<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> Andoas before he departed with +his companion and baggage for Omaguas. The negro, on reaching the hut +where he left his mistress and her brothers, traced them through the +woods, in company with his companions, until he came to the spot where +their corpses laid, already putrid and uncognizable. At sight of these, +persuaded that no one had escaped death, the negro and his companions +returned to the hut, collected what had been left there, and again +reached at Andoas before my wife arrived there. The negro thence +repaired to M. R. at Omaguas, and delivered to him the property of his +mistress. This man was not ignorant that M. Grandmaison, who had reached +Loreto, awaited there with impatience the arrival of his children. A +letter in my possession even proves that my father-in-law, informed that +the negro Joachim was at Omaguas, advised Tristan to repair thither and +bring him forward; but neither Tristan nor M. R. thought fit to satisfy +him, and so far from complying with his request, M. R., of his own +accord, sent the negro back to Quito, keeping the property he had +brought back with him.</p> + +<p><span title="Transcriber's Note: Quotation mark removed before "You know"">You know</span>, Sir, that Laguna is not situate on the Amazons, but some +leagues up the Guallaga, a tributary of the former river. Joachim, +dismissed by M. R., did not in course proceed to Laguna in search of his +mistress, whom he imagined dead, but returned to Quito, and thus have we +lost his services. You will certainly be far from guessing the excuse of +M. R. for sending away a faithful servant, who was so much wanted by us. +"I was afraid," said he in answer to this inquiry, "that he would murder +me."—"What," replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> I, "could have given birth to a suspicion of such +intention in a man whose zeal and fidelity were so well known to you, +and with whom you so long had travelled? If you apprehended he might +dislike you, from imputing the death of his mistress to your negligence, +what prevented your sending him forward to M. Grandmaison, who exacted +this of you, and who was so nigh at hand? At least, what hindered your +putting him in prison? You lodged with the governor of Omaguas, who +would readily have complied, had you made him such a request."</p> + +<p>In the mean time, Madame Godin, with the canoe and crew from Andoas, had +reached Laguna, where they were received with the greatest politeness by +Dr Romero, the new chief of the missions, who, by his kind treatment +during six weeks that she remained with him, did much towards +reestablishing her health, but too much impaired, and making her forget +her misfortunes. The first care of this respectable character was, to +forward an express to the governor of Omaguas, to inform him of the +arrival of Madame Godin, and the languid state of her health. Upon this +intelligence, M. R. could do no less, having promised to render her his +services, than hasten to join her, bringing with him four silver dishes, +a silver saucepan, a velvet petticoat, one of Persiana, and one of +taffety, some linen, and other trifles, belonging to her brothers as +well as herself; adding, that all the rest were rotten, forgetting that +bracelets, snuff-boxes, and rosaries of gold, and ear-rings set with +emeralds, were not subject to rottenness, any more than various other +effects. "Had you," said Madame Godin, "had you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> brought back my negro, +I should have learnt from him what he had done with my property found in +the hut. But of whom, respecting it, am I now to inquire? Go your ways, +Sir; it is impossible that I can ever forget that, to you, I owe all my +misfortunes and all my losses; manage henceforward as you may, I am +determined you shall make no part of my company." My wife had but too +much reason on her side, but the intercessions of M. Romero, to whom she +could refuse nothing, and who represented to her that, if she abandoned +M. R., his condition would be deplorable, at length overcame her +repugnance, and induced her to consent he should yet continue with her.</p> + +<p>When Madame Godin was somewhat recovered, M. Romero wrote to M. +Grandmaison, informing him that she was out of danger, and requesting +him to despatch Tristan to accompany her to the Portuguese vessel. He +likewise wrote to the governor, acquainting him that he had represented +to Madame Godin, whose courage and piety he could never sufficiently +admire, that she was yet merely at the beginning of a long and tedious +voyage; and that, though she had already travelled upwards of four +hundred leagues, she had yet four or five times that distance to pass +before she reached Cayenne; that, but just relieved from the perils of +death, she was about to incur fresh danger; concluding with offering, if +she chose to return, to cause her to be escorted back in perfect +security to her residence of Riobamba. To these he added, that Madame +Godin replied, "She was surprised at his proposals; that the Almighty +had preserved her when alone amid perils in which all her for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span>mer +companions had perished; that the first of her wishes was to rejoin her +husband; that for this purpose she had begun her journey; and, were she +to cease to prosecute her intention, that she should esteem herself +guilty of counteracting the views of Providence, and render useless the +assistance she had received from her two dear Americans and their wives, +as well as all the kindness for which she was indebted to him, and for +which God alone could recompense them." My wife was ever dear to me, but +sentiments like these add veneration to tenderness. Tristan failing to +arrive when expected, M. Romero, wearied with waiting for him in vain, +equipped a canoe, and gave directions for the transport of Madame Godin, +without halting any where, to the Portuguese vessel. Then it was that +the governor of Omaguas, knowing of her coming, and that she was to stop +no where by the way, despatched a canoe to <span title="Transcriber's Note: "met" changed to "meet"">meet</span> her, loaded with +refreshments.</p> + +<p>The Portuguese commander, M. de Rebello, hearing of her approach, fitted +out a pirogue, commanded by two of his men, and stored with provisions, +to meet her, which they did at the village of Pevas. This officer, the +better to fulfil the orders of his master, with great labour, and by +doubling the number of oars, worked his vessel up the river as high as +the mission of Loreto, where he received her on board. I learn from her, +that from that instant till she reached Oyapok, throughout a course of +nearly a thousand leagues, she wanted for nothing to render her +comfortable, not even the nicest delicacies, and such as could not be +expected in the country; wine and liquors which she never uses, fish, +game, &c. were supplied by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> two canoes which preceded the galliot. The +governor of Para, moreover, had sent orders to the chief part of the +stages at which they had to halt, with additional refreshments.</p> + +<p>I forgot to mention, that the sufferings of my wife were not at an end, +and that one of her thumbs was in a very bad state, owing to its being +wounded by thorns in the wood, which had not yet been extricated, and +which had not only occasioned an abscess, but had injured the tendon and +even the bone itself. It was proposed to take off the thumb, but, by +dint of care and fermentations, she had only the pain to undergo +occasioned by the extraction of two splinters at San Pablo, but she +entirely lost the use of the tendon. The galliot continued its course to +the fortress of Curupa about sixty leagues above Para. M. de Martel, +knight of the Order of Christ, and major of the garrison of Para, +arrived there the succeeding day, by order of the governor, to take +command of the galliot, and conduct Madame Godin to Fort Oyapok. A +little beyond the mouth of the river, at a spot off the coast where the +currents are very violent, he lost one of his anchors; and as it would +have been imprudent to venture with only one, he sent a boat to Oyapok, +to seek assistance, which was immediately forwarded. Hearing by this +means of the approach of Madame Godin, I left Oyapok on board a galliot +belonging to me, in view of meeting her; and, on the fourth day of my +departure, fell in with her vessel opposite to Mayacare. On board this +vessel, after twenty years' absence, and a long endurance on either side +of alarms and misfortunes, I again met with a cherished wife, whom I had +almost given over every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> hope of seeing again. In her embraces I forgot +the loss of the fruits of our union, nay, I even congratulated myself on +their premature death, as it saved them from the dreadful fate which +befel their uncle in the wood of Canelos beneath their mother's eye, who +certainly could never have survived the sight. We anchored at Oyapok the +22d July 1770. I found in M. Murtel an officer as much distinguished by +his acquirements as by his prepossessing exterior. He has acquaintance +with most of the languages of Europe, is an excellent Latinist, and well +calculated to shine on a more extensive scene than Para. He is a +descendant of the illustrious French family of similar name. I had the +pleasure of his company for a fortnight at Oyapok, whither M. de +Fiedmont, governor of Cayenne, whom the commandant of Oyapok, advised of +his arrival by express, immediately despatched in a boat with +refreshments. We caused the Portuguese vessel to undergo a repair, which +it much wanted, and refitted it with sails to enable it to stem the +currents on its return. The commandant of Oyapok gave M. Martel, +moreover, a coast-pilot, to accompany him to the frontiers. I offered to +go so far as his consort on board my galliot, but he would suffer me to +proceed no farther than Cape D'Orange. I took my leave of him with those +feelings which the polite attention and noble behaviour of that officer +and his generous nation were so well calculated to inspire in me, as +well as my wife, a conduct on the part of either, which I was led to +expect from what I had individually experienced on my former voyage.</p> + +<p>I should previously have told you that, when I descended the Amazons in +1749, with no other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> recommendation to the notice of the Portuguese than +arose from the remembrance of the intimation afforded by you in 1743, +that one of the companions of your travels would follow the same way, I +was received in all the Portuguese settlements, by the missionaries and +commandants of the forts, with the utmost courtesy. On passing San Pablo +I purchased a canoe, in which I descended the river to Fort Curupa, +whence I wrote to the governor of Grand Para, M. Francis Mendoza Gorjaô, +to acquaint him of my arrival, and beg permission of sailing from Curupa +to Cayenne, whither I intended to repair direct. He favoured me with so +polite an answer, that I made no hesitation of quitting my intended +cruise and taking a longer, in order to thank him and pay him my +respects. He received me with open arms, and insisted on my making his +house and table my own during a week that I stopped with him; nor would +he suffer me to depart before he set off himself for St. Louis de +Marinhan, whither he was about to go on his circuit. After his +departure, I remounted the river to Curupa with my canoe, escorted by +one of greater dimensions, sent with me by the commandant of that fort +on my voyage to Para, a city which, as you have justly remarked, stands +on a large river, considered, but improperly, the right arm of the +Amazons, as the river of Para merely communicates with the Amazons by a +channel hollowed by the tides, and called Tagipuru. At Curupa I found +waiting for me, by order of the governor of Para, a large pirogue of +fourteen oars, commanded by a serjeant of the garrison, and destined to +carry me to Cayenne, whither I repaired by Macapa, coasting along the +left of the Amazons<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> to its mouth, without, like you, making tour of the +great island of Joanes, or Marajo. After similar courtesies, unprovoked +by express recommendations, what had I not to expect, seeing his Most +Faithful Majesty had condescended to issue precise orders to expedite a +vessel to the very frontiers of his dominions, for the purpose of +receiving my family on board, and transporting it to Cayenne?</p> + +<p>To resume my narrative.—After taking leave of M. de Martel off Cape +D'Orange with those reciprocal salutes common with sailors, I returned +to Oyapok, and thence to Cayenne.</p> + +<p>Here I was engaged in a lawsuit. Tristan demanded of me the wages I had +promised him of sixty livres per month. I offered to pay him for +eighteen months, the utmost time the voyage could have required, had he +strictly followed his instructions. The sentence pronounced by the +superior council of Cayenne condemned him to render me an account of +from seven to eight thousand franks, the value of effects I had +committed to his care, deducting one thousand and eighty for the +eighteen months's salary I had offered him; but the wretch, after +dealing treacherously with me as he had done, after causing the death of +eight persons, including the American who was drowned, and all the +misfortunes which befel my wife; in short, after dissipating the whole +of the effects I had intrusted with him, proved insolvent; and, for my +part, I judged it unnecessary to augment the losses I had already +sustained by having to support him in prison.</p> + +<p>I conceive, Sir, that I have now complied to the full with your request. +The narrative I have given, by recalling the mournful scenes I have +de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>picted, has cost me infinite anguish. The lawsuit with Tristan, and +the illness of my wife on reaching Cayenne, a consequence but too +natural of the sufferings she had undergone, did not admit of my +venturing to expose her earlier than the present year (1773), to so long +a voyage by sea. At present she is, with her father, in the midst of my +family, by whom they have been tenderly received. M. de Grandmaison had +originally no intention of proceeding to France, but merely meant, by +his voyage, to see his daughter safe on board the Portuguese vessel; but +finding old age creep on apace, and penetrated with the most lively +grief at the intelligence of the sad death of his children, he abandoned +all, and embarked with her, trusting the care of his property to his +other son-in-law, M. Savula, who resides at Riobamba. For my wife, +however solicitous all about her to enliven her spirits, she is +constantly subject to melancholy, her horrible misfortunes being ever +present to her imagination. How much did it cost me to obtain from her +the relations requisite for the judges in the course of my lawsuit! I +can even readily conceive that, from delicacy, she has abstained from +entering into many details, the remembrance of which she was anxious to +lose, and which, known, could but add to the pain I feel. Nay she was +even anxious that I should not prosecute Tristan, compassionating even +that wretch; thus following the gentle impulse of a heart inspired with +the purest benevolence, and the genuine principles of religion!</p> + + +<p class="center"><b>THE END.</b></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p style="text-align: left;">Printed by the Heirs<br /> +of D. Willison.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Perils and Captivity, by +Charlotte-Adélaïde [née Picard] Dard and Pierre Raymond de Brisson and Jean Godin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PERILS AND CAPTIVITY *** + +***** This file should be named 22792-h.htm or 22792-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/7/9/22792/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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