FUNERAL AT SEA. 57 



from the beginning into a lethargic state interrupted 

 only by fits of delirium. Another Asturian, still younger, 

 did not leave for one moment the bed of his dying friend ; 

 still he did not contract the disorder. 



Humboldt and Bonpland assembled on the deck, ab- 

 sorbed in melancholy reflections. It was no longer 

 doubtful, that the fever which raged on board had as- 

 sumed within the last few da} r s a fatal aspect, Their 

 eyes were fixed on a hilly and desert coast on which the 

 moon, from time to time, shed her light athwart the 

 clouds. The sea, gently agitated, emitted a feeble phos- 

 phoric light. Nothing was heard but the monotonous 

 cry of a few large sea-birds, flying towards the shore. 

 A profound calm reigned over these solitary regions, but 

 this calm of nature was in discordance with the painful 

 feelings by which they were oppressed. About eight 

 o'clock the dead man's knell slowly tolled. The sailors 

 suspended their labours, and threw themselves on their 

 knees to offer a momentary prayer. All were united 

 in one common sorrow for a misfortune which was felt 

 to be common to all. The corpse was brought upon 

 deck during the night, but the priest entreated that it 

 might not be committed to the waves till after sunrise, 

 that the last rites might be performed, according to the 

 usage of the Eomish church. There was not an indivi- 

 dual on board, who did not deplore the death of this 

 young man, whom they had beheld, but a few days be- 

 fore, full of cheerfulness and health. 



Most of the passengers considered the vessel infected, 

 and resolved to leave her at the first place at which she 

 might touch; among these were Humboldt and Bon- 

 pland. It was not that they feared the fever, but 



3* 



