assed.

* * * * *

The following is the substance, abridged from MM.
Correard and Savigny, of what took place on the raft
during thirteen days before the sufferers were taken up
by the Argus Brig.

After the boats had disappeared, the consternation became extreme. All
the horrors of thirst and famine passed before our imagination;
besides, we had to contend with a treacherous element, which already
covered the half of our bodies.--The deep stupor of the soldiers and
sailors instantly changed to despair. All saw their inevitable
destruction, and expressed by their moans the dark thoughts which
brooded in their minds. Our words were at first unavailing to quiet
their fears, which we participated with them, but which a greater
strength of mind enabled us to dissemble. At last an unmoved
countenance, and our proffered consolations, quieted them by degrees,
but could not entirely dissipate the terror with which they were
seized.

When tranquility was a little restored, we began to search about the
raft for the charts, the compass, and the anchor, which we presumed
had been placed upon it, after what we had been told at the time of
quitting the frigate.

These things of the first importance, had not been placed upon our
machine. Above all, the want of a compass the most alarmed us, and we
gave vent to our rage and vengeance. M. Correard then remembered he
had seen one in the hands of the principal workmen under his command;
he spoke to the man, who replied, 'Yes, yes, I have it with me.' This
information transported us with joy, and we believed that our safety
depended upon this futile resource; it was about the size of a
crown-piece, and very incorrect. Those who have not been in situations
in which their existence was exposed to extreme peril, can have but a
faint knowledge of the price one attaches then to the simplest
objects--with what avidity one seizes the slightest means capable of
mitigating the rigor of that fate against which they contend. The
compass was given to the commander of the raft, but an accident
deprived us of it forever; it fell and disappeared between the pieces
of wood which formed our machine. We had kept it but a few hours, and,
after its loss, had nothing to guide us but the rising and setting of
the sun.

We had all gone afloat without taking any food. Hunger beginning to be
imperiously felt, we mixed our paste of sea-biscuit with a little