SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 363 
our care to make them worthy of all your tenderness." The 
g-ood man would then fold us in his arms ; and the tears which 
trickled down his cheeks for a while soothed his sufferings* 
Often, to divert our thoughts from the misery we endured, 
would we read some of the works of our best authors. My 
father was usually on these occasions the reader, whilst Ca- 
roline and myself listened. Sometimes w^e would amuse our- 
selves with shooting the bow, and chasing the wild ducks and 
fowls which went about our house. In this manner we en- 
deavored to dissipate in part our ennui during the day. As 
our cottage was situated close to the banks of the river, we 
amused ourselves in fishing whilst the heat and the muske- 
toes would permit us. Caroline and our young brothers were 
chiefly charged with fishing for crabs, and they always caught 
sufficient to afford supper to all the family. But sometimes 
we had to forego this evening's repast, for the musketoes at 
that hour were in such prodigious numbers that it was im- 
possible to remain more than an instant in one place, unless 
we were enveloped in our coverings of wool. But the chil- 
dren not having so much sense, would not allow themselves 
to be thus suffocated ; they could not rest in any place, and 
every instant their doleful groans forced our tears of pity. 
O cruel remembrance ! thou makest me yet weep as I write 
these lines. 
Toward the beginning of July the rains showed us it was 
seed time. We began by sowing the cotton, then the fields of 
millet, maize, and beans. Early in the morning the family 
went to work : some digged, others sowed, till the fierceness 
of the sun forced us to retire to the cottage, where we ex- 
pected a plate of kouskous, of fish, and a little rest. At three 
o'clock we all returned to the fields, and did not leave off 
working till the approach of night: then we all went home, 
and each occupied himself in fishing or hunting. Whilst we 
were thus busied in providing our supper and provisions for 
the morrow, we sometimes would receive a visit from the 
sportsmen who were returning to Senegal. Some would feel 
for our misery, but many made us w^eep with their vulgar af- 
fronts. On these occasions Caroline and myself would fly 
from these disgusting beings, as from the wild beasts who 
prowled about us. Sometimes, to make us forget the insults 
and mortifications we experienced from the negro merchants 
who live at Senegal, and whom curiosity brought to our isl- 
and, my father would say to us, " Wherefore, my dears, are 
you distressed with the impertinences of these beings ? Only 
