y which we would save
ourselves; we spoke of it as a certain circumstance, which reanimated
our courage; and we sustained that of the soldiers, by cherishing in
them the hope of being able, in a short while, to revenge themselves on
those who had so basely abandoned us. This hope of vengeance, it must be
avowed, equally animated us all; and we poured out a thousand
imprecations against those who had left us a prey to so much misery and
danger.

[Footnote 16: The original French is _trois quarts_, which
certainly cannot mean _three quarts_. In all probability it is
three pints.--Trans.]

The officer who commanded the raft being unable to move, M. Savigny took
upon himself the duty of erecting the mast. He caused them to cut in two
one of the poles of the frigate's masts, and fixed it with the rope
which had served to tow us, and of which we made stays and shrowds. It
was placed on the anterior third of the raft. We put up for a sail the
main-top-gallant, which trimmed very well, but was of very little use,
except when the wind served from behind; and to keep the raft in this
course, we were obliged to trim the sail as if the breeze blew athwart
us.

In the evening, our hearts and our prayers, by a feeling natural to the
unfortunate, were turned towards Heaven. Surrounded by inevitable
dangers, we addressed that invisible Being who has established, and who
maintains the order of the universe. Our vows were fervent, and we
experienced from our prayers the cheering influence of hope. It is
necessary to have been in similar situations, before one can rightly
imagine what a charm it is to the heart of the sufferer the sublime idea
of a God protecting the unfortunate!

One consoling thought still soothed our imaginations. We persuaded
ourselves that the little division had gone to the isle of Arguin, and
that after it had set a part of its people on shore, the rest would
return to our assistance: we endeavoured to impress this idea on our
soldiers and sailors, which quieted them. The night came without our
hope being realized; the wind freshened, and the sea was considerably
swelled. What a horrible night! The thought of seeing the boats on the
morrow, a little consoled our men, the greater part of whom, being
unaccustomed with the sea, fell on one another at each movement of the
raft. M. Savigny, seconded by some people who still preserved their
presence of mind amidst the disorder, stretched cords across the