ADVENTURES OF MADAME DENOYER. 225 
gined that she beheld them for the last time. Resig-ning her- 
self entirely to the direction of Providence, she suffered the 
canoe to float at the will of the waves. 
But the approach of a horribly dark night soon augmented 
her danger and her apprehensions. To crown the misfor- 
tunes of the distressed family, the wind began to blow with 
-great violence, the waves rose, and, amidst their impetuous 
shocks, a sea broke over the canoe, vv'ashed away the biscuit 
and fresh water, while the attention of the wretched woman 
was diverted from such a great misfortune only by the fear 
of being swallowed up by a wave still more tremendous. It 
is impossible to describe the protracted horrors of this terrible 
night. 
The wished-for dawn at length arrived, and brought calmer 
weather, but no other consolation. They beheld nothing but 
sky and water, and were ignorant which way to direct their 
course. In this desperate situation Madame Denoyer never 
ceased to implore the assistance of Providence, the onl}^ sup- 
port of the unfortunate. 
In this manner they passed seven days and seven nights, 
exposed to the inclemencies of the weather, without drink or 
food of any kind, excepting a little salt pork. Exhausted with 
fatigue, the enfeebled mother was every moment losing the 
little strength she had left ; but in this condition the idea of a 
speedy death was less terrible than the deplorable state of her 
children. In quitting them she was desirous of giving the 
most precious mark of maternal affection. She was on the 
point of opening a vein to prolong the life of the little inno- 
cent closely pressed to her bosom, when Catherine discover- 
ed a distant sail. This intelligence gave Madame Denoyer 
^lew life; both the women, shouted and made signs. They 
soon perceived that their signals were seen, and that the vessel 
Avas standing toward them. A new danger now intervened. 
The waves broke with such force against the ship as to ren- 
der them apprehensive that the canoe would be sunk if they 
attempted to get on board. However, by the management of 
the captain, the widow, the children, and the black servant 
were taken on board the vessel. She arrived safely in the 
road of New-Orleans, the place of their destination. Madame 
Denoyer had the good fortune to find there M. Rougeot, a 
notary, and near relation, who received her and her familv, 
rescued, as it were, from the tomb, with the greatest joy and 
affection. 
The inhabitants of Louisiana generously raised a subscrip- 
