The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-08-24

which they had intended seizing the boa
themselves, and leaving their companion
u terrible fate without a chance Of sal
vation This resulted in a solemn council
at which Schmatlz and Lachaumarey
sWore that the boats should not desert tn,
raft, but unite in towing it to the Land q.
before agreed. The terrified people, natu
rally unwilling to trust their lives to thu
frail support, were driven upon the raft by
armed officers. One hundred and fifty
persons were at last compelled to embark
ia the floating coffin -twenty-nine sailors
one woman, and the balance soldiers. The
provisions consisted of twenty-five pounds
soaked biscuit; there were no charts, sails,
OF oars The command was assigned to M
Coudin, a mid-shil,n whose subsequent
| gallantry entities him to grateful remem-
brance. The six boats were filled with the
Governor, his family, and attaches, the
Captain and his officers, and such others as
were fortunate enough to crowd in Sew
enteen men, the most of them intoxicated,
preferred remaining III the ship.
For a little while after departure the
boats towed the raft, and with the favor
able breeze then blowing all might have
reached the shore in less than fOrty-eiRht
L---- %. a. Az .-ssa~~s5 muse
behavior is an eternal and metfaceable dis
grace upon the French navy made some
frivolous excuse, dropped their line and
rowed away, leaving the raft alone and
helpless in mid- ocean. The shrieks, yells,
and imprecat .nns Of the poor wretches thus
mhumanly abandoned rent the air, but
brought no merclful response from those
who planned and consummated this damn
able deed
1t is impossible to give any correct idea,
IN the limited space at our disposal Of the
events WHICH transplred in the next twelve
days. For the first few hours the encour-
aging words and example Of NJ. Coudin,
and Messrs. Correard and Savingy, whom
he had associated with him, rendered 10
inspire the people with hope, and they
looked forward to a speedy rescue buI as
time wore away, and neither boat nor sail
appeared ia sight, hope He'd, and grim
despair assumed undivided sway. The
raft became literally a hell atinat. The
first night was nshered in by a tremendous
gale, which came near making an end Of
the whole party; but the large portion sur
NIved to endure greater horrors. Twenty
were missing the first tribute paid to re-
death Storms, starvation. mu-
tiny and murder now followed each other
iii rapid succession The morning Of the
third day showed that sixty five more had
Ierlshed; on the fifth day there were but
thirty survivors, on the seventh but TWEEN
" seven, and twelve Of these at the point
If death. A consultation was held, and
the well resolved, to get rid Of the sick.
Tree soldiers and sailor were appointed
4 Committee Of determination, and while
the others turned their backs they threw .
overheard their dying companions. The 4
fifteen who remained out Of the one hun
lred and fifty underwent the most agoniz-
ny tortures for five days longer, and were
At last pickedup by the Argus, on the 18th .
# July, and carried to Senegal
Four Of the boats reached land with
comparatively little difficulty On the 8th
we Of them containing the Governor, Cap
ain and their party, pushed forward at
nee to Senegal. where they arrived on the
'th The passengers in those left behind
Mftsflflg- severtry t,n"~t me -Juurney, ana
iearlv persisted for lack Of food and water.
small schooner was shortly afterward
,ent out in search Of the Medusa, and
hough fifty-two days had elapsed since her
she was found still lying on
he Arguin bank in very tolerable condl-
hon Three of the seventeen persons left \
IN board were still alive to tell the story of 4
heir long imprisonment, and to prove that /
nothing but a reasonable amount Of cOur-
aye and skill was necessary to have saved I
he Medusa, and spared the world the 7
,ickening history Of that fatal raft.