SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 377 
to despair. All saw their inevitable destination, and express- 
ed by their moans the dark thoughts which brooded in their 
minds. Our wcrds were at first unavailing to quiet their 
fears, ^vhich we participated with them, but which a greater 
strength of mind enabled us to dissemble. At last, an unmo- 
ved countenance and our proffered consolations quieted them 
by degrees, but could not entirely dissipate the terror with 
which they were seized. 
When tranquillity w^as a little restored, we began to search 
about .the raft for the charts, the compass, and the anchor, 
which we presumed had been placed upon it, after what we 
had been told at the time of quitting the frigate.* These 
things, of the first importance, had not been placed upon our 
machine. Above all, the want of a compass the most alarm- 
ed us, and we gave vent to our rage and vengeance. M. 
Correard then remembered he had seen one in the hands of 
one of the principal workmen under his command ; he spoke 
to the man, who replied, " Yes, yes, I have it with me." 
This information transported us with joy, and we believed 
that our safety depended upon this futile resource ; it was 
about the size of a cro^Ti-piece, and very incorrect. Those 
who have not been in situations in w^hich their existence was 
exposed to extreme peril, can have but a faint knowledge of 
the price one attaches to the simplest objects — with what avi- 
dity one seizes the slighest means capable of mitigating that 
fate against which they contend. The compass was given to 
the commander of the raft, but an accident deprived us of it 
for ever : it fell, and disappeared between the pieces of wood 
which formed our machine. We had kept it but a few hours, 
and, after its loss, had nothing to guide us but the rising and 
setting of the sun. 
We had all gone afloat without taking any food. Hunger 
beginning to be imperiously felt, we mixed our paste of sea- 
biscuit (which had fallen into the sea, and was with difficulty 
recovered) with a little wine, and distributed it thus prepared. 
Such was our first meal, and the best we had during our stay 
upon the raft. 
* M. Correard, fearing that on the event of their being separated 
from the boats by any unforeseen accident, called from the raft to an 
officer on board the frigate, " Are we in a condition to take the route 1 
— ^have we instruments and charts V got the following reply : " Yes, 
yes, I have provided for you every necessary." M. Correard a^ain 
called to him, " Who was to be their commander V when the same 
officer said: " Tis I; I will be with you in an instant;" but he in- 
stantly went and seated himself in one of the boats ! — Trans. 
32* 
