122 



WRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 



We were certainly not more than twenty or twenty-five, anima- 

 ted with the hope of being yet saved ; and though we apparently 

 formed a rational plan, in the preservation of our raft, it must not 

 be supposed we were in full possession of our mental faculties ; 

 anxiety and privation, of every kind, had greatly impaired them ; 

 however, still less delirious than the soldiery, we firmly resisted 

 their resolution. Here is what I experienced, during the time, as 

 I mentioned before, I gave myself up to my reflections, after eat- 

 ing the bit of biscuit. My eyes closed in spite of me, and I felt a 

 general drowsiness. In this state, the liveliest images soothed my 

 imagination : I saw myself surrounded by a richly cultivated 

 country, and in company with agreeable people ; I even made re- 

 flections on my situation. I appreciated fully all its danger, and 

 I was well convinced that courage and some food alone could 

 snatch me from this state of annihilation ; in consequence of this, 

 I begged the master-gunner to give me a little wine, which he 

 did, and I revived a little. All my companions, as I learned, had 

 felt the same sensations. The unhappy men who had not strength 

 to confront these first attacks, fell into a state of imbecility, from 

 which it was impossible to rouse them ; others dived into the 

 ocean, coolly bidding their comrades farewell ; others would say, 

 " Never fear, I am going to bring you relief, you shall soon see 

 me again and others dived into the sea, as it were to catch at 

 something apparently in view. Some others of these unhappy 

 men ran sword in hand on their comrades, demanding a wing of 

 a fowl and some bread, to appease their hunger. Some of them 

 asked for their hammocks, " to go," said they, and sleep between 

 decks." Others still thought themselves on board the Medusa, 

 amidst everything they were daily surrounded with. In a con- 

 versation with one of my comrades he said to me, " I cannot 

 think we are on a raft ; I always suppose myself aboard our frig- 

 ate." My own judgment wandered too on this point. " I per- 

 ceive," says an ofiicer, " that I am going to turn mad." Monsieur 

 Corriad imagined himself going over the beautiful plains of Italy. 

 Monsieur Griffon said very seriously to him, " I remember we 

 were forsaken by the boats, but never fear, I have just written to 

 government, and in a few hours we shall be saved." Monsieur 

 Corriad answered, as though he had been in his senses, — "Have 

 you then a pigeon to carry your orders so fast ?" For a moment 

 this stupor was dissipated by shouts and tumult ; but, shortly 



