ng'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.

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 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!"

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 of a place in