eavour 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. 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.

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. W