--FIRST REPAST OF THE CARAVAN IN THE DESERT--THEY
FALL IN WITH A SMALL CAMP OF ARABS--M. PICARD PURCHASES TWO
KIDS--THE MOORS OFFER THEIR SERVICES TO THEM--ARRIVAL AT LAST AT
THE GREAT CAMP OF THE MOORS--M. PICARD IS RECOGNISED BY AN
ARAB--GENEROUS PROCEEDING OF THAT ARAB--SUDDEN DEPARTURE OF THE
CARAVAN--THEY HIRE ASSES.

After we had a little recovered from the fainting and fatigue of our
getting on shore, our fellow-sufferers told us they had landed in the
forenoon, and had cleared the breakers by the strength of their oars and
sails; but they had not all been so lucky as we were. One unfortunate
person, too desirous of getting quickly on shore, had his legs broken
under the Shallop, and was taken and laid on the beach, and left to the
care of Providence. M. Espiau, commander of the shallop, reproached us
for having doubted him when he wished to board us to take our family
along with him. It was most true he had landed sixty-three people that
day. A short while after our refusal, he took the passengers of the
yawl, who would infallibly have perished in the stormy night of the 6th
and 7th. The boat named the Senegal, commanded by M. Maudet, had made
the shore at the same time with M. Espiau. The boats of MM. Schmaltz and
Lachaumareys were the only ones which continued the route for Senegal,
whilst nine-tenths of the Frenchmen intrusted to these gentlemen were
butchering each other on the raft, or dying of hunger on the burning
sands of Sahara.

About seven in the morning, a caravan was formed to penetrate into the
interior, for the purpose of finding some fresh water. We did
accordingly find some at a little distance from the sea, by digging
among the sand. Every one instantly flocked round the little wells,
which furnished enough to quench our thirst. This brackish water was
found to be delicious, although it had a sulphurous taste: its colour
was that of whey. As all our clothes were wet and in tatters, and as we
had nothing to change them, some generous officers offered theirs. My
step-mother, my cousin, and my sister, were dressed in them; for myself,
I preferred keeping my own. We remained nearly an hour beside our
beneficent fountain then took the route for Senegal; that is, a
southerly direction, for we did not know exactly where that country lay.
It was agreed that the females and children should walk before the
caravan, that they might not be left behind. The sailors voluntarily
carried the youngest on th