SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 305 
Separated from the rest of the world by a boundless sea, 
and having no place of refuge but the wreck of a grounded 
vessel, the multitude addressed at first their vows to Heaven, 
and forgot, for a moment, all earthly concerns. Then, sud- 
denly starting from their lethargy, they began to look after 
their wealth, the merchandise they had in small ventures, ut- 
terly regardless of the elements that threatened them. The 
miser, thinking of the gold contained in his coffers, hastened 
to put it into a place of safety, either by sewing it into the 
lining of his clothes, or by cutting out for it a place in the 
waistband of his trowsers. The smuggler was tearing his 
hair at not being able to save a chest of contraband which he 
had secretly got on board, and with which he had hoped to 
have gained two or three hundred per cent. Another, selfish 
to excess, was throwing overboard all his hidden money, and 
amusing himself by burning all his efTects. A generous of- 
ficer was opening his portmanteau, offering caps, stockings, 
and shirts, to any who would take them. These had scarcely 
gathered together their various effects, when they learned that 
they could not take any thing with them; those were search- 
ing the cabins and store-rooms to carry away every thing that 
was valuable. Ship-boys were discovering the delicate wines 
and fine liquors which a wise foresight had placed in reserve. 
Soldiers and sailors were -penetrating into the spirit-room, 
broaching casks, staving others, and drinking till they fell ex- 
hausted. Soon the tumult of the inebriated made us forget 
the roaring of the sea which threatened to ingulf us. At 
last the uproar was at its height ; the soldiers no longer lis- 
tened to the voice of their captain. Some knit their brows 
and muttered oaths ; but nothing could be done with those 
whom wine had rendered furious. Next, piercing cries, mix- 
ed with doleful groans, were heard — this was the signal of 
departure. 
At six o'clock on the morning of the fifth, a great part of 
the military was embarked upon the raft, which was already 
covered with a large sheet of foam. The soldiers were ex- 
pressly prohibited from taking their arms. A young officer 
of infantry, whose brain seemed to be powerfully affected, 
put his horse beside the barricadoes of the frigate, and then, 
armed with two pistols, threatened to fire upon any one who 
refused to go upon the raft. Forty men had scarcely descend- 
ed when it sunk to the depth of about two feet. To facilitate 
the embarking of. a greater number, they were obliged to 
throw over several barrels of provisions which had been pla- 
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