SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 303 
many dangers? Whither could we go ? What hospitable land 
would receive us on its shores ? My thoughts then reverted to 
our beloved country. I did not regret Paris, but I could have 
^teemed myself happy to have been yet in the marshes on 
the road to Rochefort. Then starting suddenly from my re- 
verie, I exclaimed: *' O terrible condition! that black and 
boundless sea resembles the eternal night which will engulf 
us ! All those who surround me yet seem tranquil : but that 
fatal calm will soon be succeeded by the most frightful tor- 
ments. Fools, what had we to find in Senegal, to make us 
trust to the most perfidious of elements 7 Did France not af- 
ford every necessary for our happiness ? Happy ! yes, thrice 
happy they who never set foot on a foreign soil ! Great God ! 
succor all these unfortunate beings; save our unhappy fa- 
mily!" 
My father perceived my distress, but how could he console 
me ? What words could calm my fears, and place me above 
the apprehension of those dangers to which we were exposed ? 
How, in a word, could I assume a serene appearance, when 
friends, parents, and all that was most dear to me, were, in all 
human probability, on the very verge of destruction ? Alas ! 
*my fears were but too well founded. For I soon perceived 
that, although we were the only ladies, beside the Misses 
Schmaltz, who formed a part of the governor's suite, they 
had the barbarity of intending our family to embark upon the 
raft, where were only soldiers, sailors, planters of Cape Verd, 
and some generous officers, who had not the honor (if it could 
be accounted one) of being considered among the ignorant 
confidants of MM. Schmaltz and Lachaumareys. My father, 
indignant at a proceeding so indecorous, swore we would 
not embark upon the raft, and that, if we were not judged 
worthy of a place in one of the six boats, he would himselii 
his wife and children, remain on board the wreck of the fri- 
gate. The tone in which he spoke these words was that of a 
man resolute to avenge any insult that might be ofiered to 
him. The governor of Senegal, doubtless fearing the world 
would one day reproach him for his inhumanity, decided we 
should have a place in one of the boats. This having in some 
measure quieted our fears concerning our unfortunate situa- 
tion, I was desirous of taking some repose, but the uproar 
among the crew was so great I could not obtain it. 
Toward midnight a passenger came to inquire of my fa^ 
ther if we were disposed to depart; he replied, we had been 
forbidden to go yet. However we were soon convinced that 
