re 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.

Leaving Senegal with my husband and the young Alphonso Fleury, my
cousin, on board his Majesty's ship Menagere, 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 Cote 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.

APPENDIX.

The following is the substance, abridged from MM. Correard and Savigny,
of what took place on the Raft during thirteen days before the Sufferers
were taken up by the Argus Brig.

* * * * *

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.

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