wise foresight had placed in reserve.
Soldiers and sailors were penetrating even into the spirit-room,
broaching casks, staving others, and drinking till they fell exhausted.
Soon the tumult of the inebriated made us forget the roaring of the sea
which threatened to ingulf us. At last the uproar was at its height; the
soldiers no longer listened to the voice of their captain. Some knit
their brows and muttered oaths; but nothing could be done with those
whom wine had rendered furious. Next, piercing cries mixed with doleful
groans were heard--this was the signal of departure.

At six o'clock on the morning of the 5th, a great part of the military
were embarked upon the raft, which was already covered with a large
sheet of foam. The soldiers were expressly prohibited from taking their
arms. A young officer of infantry, whose brain seemed to be powerfully
affected, put his horse beside the barricadoes of the frigate, and then,
armed with two pistols, threatened to fire upon any one who refused to
go upon the raft. Forty men had scarcely descended when it sunk to the
depth of about two feet. To facilitate the embarking of a greater
number, they were obliged to throw over several barrels of provisions
which had been placed upon it the day before. In this manner did this
furious officer get about one hundred and fifty heaped upon that
floating tomb; but he did not think of adding one more to the number by
descending himself, as he ought to have done, but went peaceably away,
and placed himself in one of the best boats. There should have been
sixty sailors upon the raft, and there were but about ten. A list had
been made out on the 4th, assigning each his proper place; but this wise
precaution being disregarded, every one pursued the plan he deemed the
best for his own preservation. The precipitation with which they forced
one hundred and fifty unfortunate beings upon the raft was such, that
they forgot to give them one morsel of biscuit. However, they threw
towards them twenty-five pounds in a sack, whilst they were not far from
the frigate; but it fell into the sea, and was with difficulty
recovered.

During this disaster, the governor of Senegal, who was busied in the
care of his own dear self, effeminately descended in an arm-chair into
the barge, where were already various large chests, all kinds of
provisions, his dearest friends, his daughter and his wife. Afterwards
the captain's boat received twenty-seven persons,