n 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 deg. 30' north latitude, and 19 deg.
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 sounding 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.

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 our boats, and
with provisions sufficient to