226 



A DEATH AT SEA. 



contempt of danger would cost him his life ; that at that 

 very moment, the seeds were sown of the fata! disease; 

 and that, in the eyes of more than one experienced ob- 

 server on board, he was already a doomed man. In 

 common with many of the passengers, he suffered from 

 seasickness during the first two or three days, but when 

 they, one by one, recovered health and spirits, he con- 

 tinued very ill, and evidently grew worse instead of bet- 

 ter. The bad habit of body in which he evidently was, 

 accounted for this in some degree ; but on the fourth 

 day, a total prostration of strength, the horribly livid hue 

 of his countenance, and other yet more certain symptoms 

 of the vomilo, began to excite more than ordinary inter- 

 est and attention. The idea of having the horrible dis- 

 ease among us was repulsive, as you may imagine. Many 

 denied the possibility, and for some time the matter was 

 rather whispered than openly debated. The fifth day 

 brought delirium and raving. No remedy suggested by 

 the experience of those around him, no care, brought 

 any alleviation. It was affecting to see at this time, when 

 the nature of the dreadful maladv which he had thus in- 

 troduced, by fatal imprudence, into our floating prison 

 became unquestionable, how all seemed to front the dan- 

 ger with firmness. There was no skulking and no mur- 

 muring; no shunning the sick man's couch when assist- 

 ance was necessary. He had no intimate friend on 

 board, and all seemed therefore to claim an equal right 

 to do what could be done. De Pourtales in particular, 

 w 7 ho felt not only the tie of language with the sufferer, 

 but the similarity of their ages and positions, was unre- 

 mitting in his good offices. 



The night between the seventh and eighth was a 

 dreadful one. We were off the Campeachy Bank ; and 

 soon after dark a heavy squall with thunder and light- 

 ning came on. 



The poor patient had been removed from below to 

 one of the deck staterooms, both for a freer circulation 

 of air, as well as to diminish the danger of infection. 

 Pourtales, M k Euen, and myself, occupied the berths in 

 his immediate proximity. 



