we have formerly spoken, and who had abandoned the
raft at the moment when we were quitting the frigate. The troop, to a
man, eagerly sought this officer, who had seen little service, and whom
they reproached for having used them ill during the time they garrisoned
the Isle of Rhe. We believed this officer lost, but hearing his voice,
we soon found it still possible to save him. Immediately MM. Clairet,
Savigny, L'Heureux, Lavilette, Coudin, Correard, and some workmen,
formed themselves into small platoons, and rushed upon the insurgents
with great impetuosity, overturning every one in their way, and retook
M. Lozach, and placed him on the centre of the raft.

[Footnote 17: Danglas had gone upon the raft at first, on which
his post had been assigned; "but when he saw the danger which he
ran upon this frightful machine, he instantly quitted it on
pretence of having forgot something on board, and never
returned."--Trans.]

The preservation of this officer cost us infinite difficulty. Every
moment the soldiers demanded he should be delivered to them, designating
him always by the name of Danglas. We endeavoured to make them
comprehend their mistake, and told them that they themselves had seen
the person for whom they sought return on board the frigate. They were
insensible to every thing we said; every thing before them was Danglas;
they saw him perpetually, and furiously and unceasingly demanded his
head. It was only by force of arms we succeeded in repressing their
rage, and quieting their dreadful cries of death.

Horrible night! thou shrouded with thy gloomy veil these frightful
combats, over which presided the cruel demon of despair.

We had also to tremble for the life of M. Coudin. Wounded and fatigued
by the attacks which he had sustained with us, and in which he had
shown a courage superior to every thing, he was resting himself on a
barrel, holding in his arms a young sailor boy of twelve years of age,
to whom he had attached himself. The mutineers seized him with his
barrel, and threw him into the sea with the boy, whom he still held
fast. In spite of his burden, he had the presence of mind to lay hold of
the raft, and to save himself from this extreme peril.

We cannot yet comprehend how a handful of men should have been able to
resist such a number so monstrously insane. We are sure we were not more
than twenty to combat all these madmen. Let it not, however, be
imagined, that in the