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.

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.

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 not now have had to deplore the scenes of
horror consequent on the wreck of the Medusa!

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 Ki