298 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 
its effect : the yards were turned on their pivots, the sails set, 
the cordage tightened, and the unfortunate sea-boys having 
received their lesson, descended to the deck. Every thing re- 
mained tranquil, except that the waves still roared, and the 
masts continued their creaking. However, the sails were 
swelled, the winds less violent, though favorable, and the ma- 
riner, while he carolled his song, said he had a noble voyage. 
During several days we did indeed enjoy a delightful pas- 
sage. All the ships of the expedition still kept together ; but 
at length the breeze became changeable, and they all disap- 
peared. The Echo, however, still kept in sight, and persisted 
in accompanying us, as if to guide us on our route. The 
wind becoming more favorable, we held due south, sailing at 
the rate of sixty-tAvo leagues a day. The sea was so fine, and 
our journey so rapid, that I began to think it nearly as agree- 
able to travel by sea as by land ; but my illusion was not of 
long duration. 
On the 28th of June, at six in the morning, we discovered 
the Peak of Teneriffe toward the south, the summit of whose 
cone seemed lost among the clouds. We were then distant 
about two leagues, which we made in less than a quarter of 
an hour. At ten o'clock we brought too before the town of 
St. Croix. Several officers got leave to go on shore to procure 
refreshments. 
While these gentlemen were away, a certain passenger, 
member of the self-instituted Philanthropic Society of Cape 
Verd, suggested that it was very dangerous to remain where 
we were, adding that he was well acquainted with the coun^ 
try, and had navigated in all these latitudes. M. Le Roy 
Lachaumareys, captain of the Medusa, believing the pre- 
tended knowledge of the intrigueing Richefort, gave him the 
command of the frigate. Various officers of the navy repre- 
sented to the captain how shameful it was to put such confi- 
dence in a stranger, and that they would never obey a man 
who had no character as a commander. The captain despis- 
ed these wise remonstrances; and using his authority, com- 
manded the pilots and the crew to obey Richefort ; saying 
he was king, since the orders of the king were that they 
should obey him. Immediately the impostor, desirous of dis- 
playing his great skill in navigation, made them change the 
route for no purpose but that of showing his skill in manoeuv- 
ring a ship. Every instant he changed the tack, went, 
came, and returned, and approached the very reefs, as if to 
brave them. In short, he beat e^bout so much ihvi,t the sai- 
