SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 381 
them at every instant. The officers kept by the foot of the 
little mast, and were obliged every moment to call to those 
around them to go to the one or the other side to avoid the 
wave ; for the sea coming nearly athwart us, gave our raft 
nearly a perpendicular position, to counteract which they 
were forced to throw themselves upon the side raised by the 
sea. 
The soldiers and sailors, frightened by the presence of al- 
most inevitable danger, doubted not that they had reached their 
last hour. Firmly believing they were lost, they resolved to 
soothe their last moments by drinking till they lost their rea- 
son. We had no power to oppose this disorder. They seiz- 
ed a cask which was in the centre of the raft, made a hole in 
the end of it, and with small tin cups took each a pretty large 
quantity : but they were obliged to cease, for the sea-water 
rushed into the hole they had made. The fumes of the wine 
failed not to disorder their brains, already weakened by the 
presence of danger and want of food. Thus excited, these 
men became deaf to the voice of reason. They wished to 
involve in one common ruin all their companions in misfor- 
tune. They avowedly expressed their intention of freeing 
themselves from their officers, who, they said, wished to op- 
pose their design, and then to destroy the raft, by cutting the 
ropes which united its different parts. Immediately after 
they resolved to put their plans in execution. One of them 
advanced upon the side of the raft with a boarding-ax, and 
began to cut the cords. This was the signal of revolt. We 
stepped forward to prevent these insane mortals, and he who 
was armed with a hatchet, with which he even threatened an 
officer, fell the first victim : a stroke of the sabre terminated 
his existence. 
This man was an Asiatic, and a soldier in a colonial regi- 
ment. Of a coilossal stature, short hair, a nose extremely 
large, an enormous mouth, dark complexion, he made a most 
hideous appearance. At first he placed himself in the mid- 
dle of the raft, and at each blow of his fist knocked down 
every one who opposed him ; he inspired the greatest terror, 
and none durst approach him. Had there been six such, our 
destruction would have been certain. 
Some men, anxious to prolong their existence, armed and 
united themselves with those who wished to preserve the raft ; 
among this number were some subaltern officers and many 
passengers. The rebels drew their sabres, and those who 
had none armed themselves with knives. They advanced 
