380 SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 
In the midst of these horrors a touching scene of filial piety 
drew our tears. Two young men raised and recognized their 
father, who had fallen, and was lying insensible among the 
feet of the people. They believed him, at first, dead, and their 
despair was express-ed in the most afflicting manner. It was 
perceived, however, that he still breathed, and every assist- 
ance was rendered for his recovery in our power. He slowly 
revived, and was restored to life, and to the prayers of his 
sons, who supported him, closely folded in their arms. Whilst 
our hearts were softened by this aftecting episode in our me- 
lancholy adventures, we had soon to witness the sad spectacle 
of a dark contrast. Two ship-boys and a baker feared not 
to seek death, and threw themselves into the sea, after having 
bid farewell to their companions in misfortune. Already the 
minds of our people were singularly altered ; some believed 
they saw land, others, ships which were coming to save us ; 
all talked aloud of their fallacious visions. 
We lamented the loss of our unfortunate companions. At 
this moment we were far from anticipating the still more ter- 
rible scene which took place on the following night ; far from 
that, we enjoyed a positive satisfaction, so well were we per- 
suaded that the boats would return to our assistance. The 
day was fine, and the most perfect tranquillity reigned all the 
while on our raft. The evening came, and no boats appear- 
ed. Despondency began to seize our men, and then a spirit 
of insubordination manifested itself in cries of rage. The 
voice of the officers was entirely disregarded. Night fell 
rapidly in, the sky was obscured by dark clouds ; the wind, 
which, during the whole of the day, had blown rather violent- 
ly, feecame furious and swelled the sea, which in an instant, 
became very rough. 
The preceding night had been frightful, but this was still 
more so. Mountains of water covered us at every instant, 
and burst with fury into the midst of us. Yerj fortunately 
we had the wind from behind, and the strength of the sea was 
a little broken by the rapidity with which we were driven 
before it. We were impelled toward the land. The men, 
from the violence of the sea, were hurried from the back to 
the front ; we were obliged to keep to the centre, the firmest 
part of the raft, and those who could not get there, almost all 
perished. Before and behind the waves dashed impetuouslj'- 
and swept away the men in spite of all their resistance. At 
the centre the pressure was such that some unfortunates were 
suffocated by the weight of their comrades, who fell upon 
