of la FURMfe 



it tvirhout the limits of poiribility that lie could 

 have loft his way fo long. 



The nature of thefe burning fands, which are 

 totally defiitute of water, rendered frill more 

 frightful all the conjectures that we could make 

 relative to his fituation. 



As our ftock of water was already parti v 

 pended, and as we had not found the means of 

 renewing it at this anchorage, Captain Iluon, 

 after having told us that it would be very difad- 

 vantageous to prolong our ftay here, aefded, that 

 it was evident that all farther refearches could be 

 only detrimental to the expedition, without af- 

 fording the fmallefl hope of again rinding our 

 unfortunate afTociate. 



Defchamps, on whofe mind thefe arguments 

 had all the influence that was defired, made no 

 hefitation to give his opinion the firft in favour 

 of our departufe, by riding with the Captain, 

 and declaring that it could not be denied, that 

 we had now nothing to do but to mourn the 

 lofs of our friend. 



Thefe probabilities had not the fame effect on 

 me ; but I had feamen to perfuade, and I cm- 

 ployed the method which I judged the moil 

 proper to convince them, by quoting, in fupport 

 of my opinion, an example taken from the 

 voyages of the rnoft celebrated of navigators. I 

 reminded them that Captain Cook had two 

 f f 4 faijors 



