some relief. Notwithstanding the privations we
felt, and especially the burning thirst which had become intolerable,
the cool air which we now began to breath, made us in part forget our
sufferings. The heavens began again to resume the usual serenity of
those latitudes, and we hoped to have passed a good night. A second
distribution of provisions was made; each received a small glass of
water, and about the eighth part of a biscuit. Notwithstanding our
meagre fare, every one seemed content, in the persuasion we would reach
Senegal by the morrow. But how vain were all our hopes, and what
sufferings had we yet to endure!

At half past seven, the sky was covered with stormy clouds. The serenity
we had admired a little while before, entirely disappeared, and gave
place to the most gloomy obscurity. The surface of the ocean presented
all the signs of a coming tempest. The horizon on the side of the Desert
had the appearance of a long hideous chain of mountains piled on one
another, the summits of which seemed to vomit fire and smoke. Bluish
clouds, streaked with a dark copper colour, detached themselves from
that shapeless heap, and came and joined with those which floated over
our heads. In less than half an hour the ocean seemed confounded with
the terrible sky which canopied us. The stars were hid. Suddenly a
frightful noise was heard from the west, and all the waves of the sea
rushed to founder our frail bark. A fearful silence succeeded to the
general consternation. Every tongue was mute; and none durst communicate
to his neighbour the horror with which his mind was impressed. At
intervals the cries of the children rent our hearts. At that instant a
weeping and agonized mother bared her breast to her dying child, but it
yielded nothing to appease the thirst of the little innocent who pressed
it in vain. O night of horrors! what pen is capable to paint thy
terrible picture! How describe the agonizing fears of a father and
mother, at the sight of their children tossed about and expiring of
hunger in a small boat, which the winds and waves threatened to ingulf
at every instant! Having full before our eyes the prospect of inevitable
death, we gave ourselves up to our unfortunate condition, and addressed
our prayers to Heaven. The winds growled with the utmost fury; the
tempestuous waves arose exasperated. In their terrific encounter a
mountain of water was precipitated into our boat, carrying away one of
the sails, and the