SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 331 
saw nothrng- but a dark cloud, when a person by the name of 
Borner, who was to have been a smith at Senegal, gave me a 
boot containing some muddy water, which he had the pre- 
caution to keep. I seized the elastic vase, and hastened to 
swallow the liquid in large draughts. One of my compa- 
nions equally tormented with thirst, envious of the pivasure I 
seemed to feel, and which I felt effectually, drew the foot from 
the boot and seized it in his turn, but it availed him nothing, 
the water which remained was so disgusting that he could 
not drink it, and spilled it on the ground. Captain Begnere, 
Avho was present, judging by the water which fell, how loath- 
some must that have been which I had drank, offered me some 
crumbs of biscuit which he had kept most carefully in his 
pocket. I chevv'ed that mixture of bread, dust, and tobacco, 
but I could not swallow it, and gave it, all masticated, to one 
of my younger brothers, who had fallen from inanition. 
We were about to quit this furnace, when we saw our gene- 
rous Englishman approaching, v/ho brought us provisions. At 
this sight I felt my strength revive, ar.d ceased to desire death, 
v^^hich I had before called on, to release me from my suffer- 
ings. Several Moors accompanied Mr. Garnet, and every one 
was loaded. On their arrival we had Avater, with rice and 
dried fish in abundance. Every one drank his allowance of 
water, but had not ability to eat, although the rice was excel- 
lent. We were all anxious to return to the sea, that we might 
bathe ourselves, and the caravan put itself on the road to the 
breakers of Sahara. After an hour's march of great suffering, 
we regained the shore, as well as our asses, who Vv^ere lying 
in the water. We rushed among the waves, and after a bath 
of half an hour, we reposed ourselves upon the beach. My 
cousin and I went to stretch ourselves upon a small rising 
ground, where we were shaded with some old clothes which 
we had with us. My cousin was cJad in an ofiicer's uniform, 
the lace of which strongly attracted the eyes of Mr. Garnet's 
Moors. Scarcely had we lain down, when one of them, 
thinking we were asleep, came to endeavor to steal it ; but 
seeing we were awake, contented himself by looking at us 
very steadfastly. 
Such is the slight incident which it had pleased MM. Gorre- 
ard and Savigny to relate, in their account of the shipwreck 
of the Medusa, in a totally different manner. Believing doubt- 
less to make it more interesting or amusing, they say that 
one of the Moors who were our guides, either through curio- 
sity or a stronger sentiment, approached Miss Picard whilst 
