SHIPWRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 395 
and when their long arms rested on our naked bodies, they 
occasioned us the most cruel sufferings. Will it be believed 
that, amidst these terrible scenes, struggling with inevitable 
death, some uttered pleasantries which made us yet smile, in 
vspite of the horrors of our situation? One, beside others, 
said jestingly, " If the brig is sent to search for us; pray God 
it has the eyes of Argus," in allusion to the name of the ves- 
sel we presumed would be sent to our assistance. This con- 
solatory idea never left us an instant, and we spoke of it fre- 
quently. On the 16th, reckoning we were very near the land, 
eight of the most determined among us resolved to endeavor 
to gain the coast. Accordingly a second raft, of smaller di- 
mensions, was formed for transporting them thither; but it 
was found insufficient, and they at length determined to await 
death in their present situation. Meanwhile night came on, 
and its sombre veil revived in our minds the most afflicting 
thoughts. We were certain there were not above a dozen or 
fifteen bottles of wine in our barrel. We began to have an 
invincible disgust at the flesh which had till then scarcely 
supported us; and we may say, that the sight of it inspired 
us with feelings of horror, doubtless produced by the idea 
of approaching destruction. On the morning of the 17th 
the sun appeared free from clouds. After having addressed 
our prayers to the Eternal, we divided among us a part of our 
wine. Each with delight was taking his small portion, when 
a captain of infantry, casting his eyes on the horizon, perceiv- 
ed a ship, and announced it to us by an exclamation of joy. 
We knew it to be a brig, but it was at a great distance ; we 
could only distinguish the masts. The sight of this vessel re- 
vived in us emotions difficult to describe. Each believed his 
deliverance sure, and we gave a thousand thanks to God. 
Fears, however, mingjed with our hopes. We straightened 
some hoops of casks, to the ends of which we fixed handker- 
chiefs of difl^erent colors. A man, with our united assistance, 
mounted to the top of the mast and waved these little flags. 
For more than half an hour we were tossed between hope 
and fear. Some thought the vessel grew larger, and others 
were convinced its course was from us. These last were 
the only ones whose eyes were not blinded by hope, for the 
ship disappeared. 
From this delirium of joy we passed to that of despon- 
dency and sorrow. We envied the fate of those whom we 
had seen perish at our sides; and we said to ourselves, "When 
we shall be in want of every thing, and when our strength 
