SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 329 
ter reposing about three hours, our caravan proceeded on its 
route. 
About six in the evening, my father, finding himself ex- 
tremely fatigued, wished to rest himself. We allowed the 
caravan to move on, whilst my step-mother and myself re- 
mained near him, and the rest of the family followed with 
their asses. We all three fell asleep. When we awoke we 
were astonished at not seeing our companions. The sun was 
sinking in the west. We saw several Moors approaching us, 
mounted on camels ; and my father reproached himself for 
having slept so long. Their appearance gave us great un- 
easiness, and we wished much to escape from them, but my 
step-mother and myself fell quite exhausted. The Moors, with 
long beards, having come quite close to us, one of them alight- 
ed and addressed us in the following words : "Be comforted, 
ladies ; under the costume of an Arab you see an Englishman, 
who is desirous of serving j^ou. Having heard at Senegal 
that Frenchmen were thrown ashore on these deserts, I thought 
my presence might be of some service to them, as I was ac- 
quainted with several of the princes of this arid country." 
These noble words from the mouth of a man we had at first 
taken to be a Moor, instantly quieted our fears. Recovering 
from our fright, we rose and expressed to the philanthropic 
Englishman the gratitude we felt. Mr. Garnet,* the name of 
the generous Briton, told us that our caravan, Vv^hich he had 
met, waited for us at about the distance of two leagues. He 
then gave us some biscuit, which we ate ; and we then set off 
together to join our companions. Mr. Garnet wished us to 
mount his camels, but my step-mother and myself, being un- 
able to persuade ourselves we could sit securely on their hairy 
haunches; continued to walk on the moist sand, whilst my fa- 
ther, Mr. Garnet, and the Moors who accompanied him, pro- 
ceeded on the camels. We soon reached a little river, called, 
in the country, Marigot des Maringoins. We wished to drink 
* In the work of MM. Correard and Savigny, this gentleman is 
made mention of in substance as follows: "On the evening of the 
11th they met with more of the natives, and an Irishman, captain of 
a merchantman, who, of his own accord, had left St. Louis with the 
intention of assisting the sufferers. He spoke the language of the coun- 
try, and was dressed in the Moorish costume. We are sorry we cannot 
recollect the name of this foreign officer, which we would have a real 
pleasure in publishing ; but, since time has effaced it from our memo- 
ries, we will at least publish his zeal and his noble efforts, titles well 
worthy the gratitude of every feeling heait," 
28* 
