318 
SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDFSA, 
opposed. However, M. Laperere proposed to take them as 
near as he could to the first breakers on the coast, and when 
there, those who wished to go on shore should throw them- 
selves into the sea and swim to land. Eleven accepted the 
proposal ; but when we had reached the first waves, none had 
the courage to brave the mountains of water which rolled be- 
tween them and the beach. Our sailors then betook them- 
selves to their benches and oars, and promised to be more qui- 
et for the future. A short while after, a third distribution was 
made since our departure from the Medusa ; and nothing more 
remained than four pints of water and one half dozen bis- 
cuits. What steps were we to take in this cruel situation 1 
We were desirous of going on shore, but we had such dangers 
to encounter ! However, we soon came to a decision when 
we saw a caravan of Moors on the coast. We then stood a 
little out to sea. According to the calculation of our com- 
manding officer, we could arrive at Senegal on the morrow. 
Deceived by the false account, we preferred suffering one day 
more, rather than to be taken by the Moors of the Desert, or 
perish among the breakers. We had now no more than a 
small half glass of water and the seventh of a biscuit. -Ex- 
posed as we were to the heat of the sun, which darted its 
rays perpendicularly on our heads, that ration, though small, 
would have been a great relief to us; but the distribution 
was delayed to the morrow. Yv^e were then obliged to drink 
the bitter sea-water, ill as it v/as calculated to quench our 
thirst. Must I tell it ? thirst had so withered the lungs of our 
sailors that they drank Salter water than that of the sea I 
Our numbers diminished daily, and nothing but the hope of 
arriving at the colony on the following day sustained our frail 
existence. My young brothers and sisters wept incessantly 
for water. The little Laura, aged six years, lay dying at the 
feet of her mother. Her mournful cries so moved the soul 
of my unfortunate father, that he was on the eve of opening a 
vein to quench the thirst which consumed his child ; but a 
wise person opposed his design, observing that all the blood 
in his body would not prolong the life of his infant child one 
moment. 
The freshness of the night-wind procured us some respite. 
We anchored pretty near to the shore, and, though dymg of 
famine, each got a tranquil sleep. On the morning of the 8th 
of July, at break of day, we took the route of Senegal. A 
short while after the wind fell, and we had a dead calm. We 
endeavored to row, but our strength was exhausted. A fourth 
