calmed,
and each of us sought a little sleep, whilst our good and generous pilot
steered our boat on a still very stormy sea.

The day at last, the day so desired, entirely restored the calm; but it
brought no other consolation. During the night, the currents, the waves,
and the winds had taken us so far out to sea, that, on the dawning of
the 7th of July, we saw nothing but sky and water, without knowing
whether to direct our course; for our compass had been broken during the
tempest. In this hopeless condition, we continued to steer sometimes to
the right and sometimes to the left, until the sun arose, and at last
showed us the east.

CHAPTER VII.

AFTER THE FRIGHTFUL TEMPEST, THE BOAT, IN WHICH ARE THE PICARD
FAMILY, IS STILL DESIROUS OF TAKING THE ROUTE TO SENEGAL--CRUEL
ALTERNATIVE TO WHICH THE PASSENGERS ARE DRIVEN--IT IS AT LAST
DECIDED TO GAIN THE COAST--DESCRIPTION OF THE LANDING--THE
TRANSPORTS OF THE SHIPWRECKED.

On the morning of the 7th of July, we again saw the shores of the
Desert, notwithstanding we were yet a great distance from it. The
sailors renewed their murmurings, wishing to get on shore, with the hope
of being able to get some wholesome plants, and some more palatable
water than that of the sea; but as we were afraid of the Moors, their
request was opposed. However, M. Laperere proposed to take them as near
as he could to the first breakers on the coast; and when there, those
who wished to go on shore should throw themselves into the sea, and swim
to land. Eleven accepted the proposal; but when we had reached the first
waves, none had the courage to brave the mountains of water which rolled
between them and the beach. Our sailors then betook themselves to their
benches and oars, and promised to be more quiet for the future. A short
while after, a third distribution was made since our departure from the
Medusa; and nothing more remained than four pints of water, and one half
dozen biscuits. What steps were we to take in this cruel situation? We
were desirous of going on shore, but we had such dangers to encounter.
However, we soon came to a decision, when we saw a caravan of Moors on
the coast. We then stood a little out to sea. According to the
calculation of our commanding officer, we would arrive at Senegal on the
morrow. Deceived by that false account, we preferred suffering one day
more, rather than to be taken by the Moors of the Desert, or perish
among the breakers. We had now