The officers wanted to tack about, as the water became shallower every moment:  but Mr. Richefort,(who enjoyed the confidence of Mr. de Chaumarey’s,) declaring that there was no reason to be alarmed, the captain ordered more sail to be spread.  Soon we had only fifteen fathoms, then nine, then six.  By promptitude the danger might still have been avoided.  They hesitated:  two minutes afterwards a shock informed us that we had struck; the officers, at first astonished, gave their orders with a voice that shewed their agitation:  the captain was wholly deprived of his; terror was painted on the countenances of all those who were capable of appreciating the danger:  I thought it imminent, and expected to see the frigate bilge.  I confess that I was not satisfied with myself, at this first moment, I could not help trembling, but afterwards, my courage did not any more forsake me. (B)

[B2] IX.—­Confusion on Board the Frigate.

The frigate having stranded, the same thing happened, which usually does happen in critical circumstances, no decisive measures were taken:  to increase our misfortunes the obedience of the crew to the officers was diminished for want of confidence.  There was no concert.  A great deal of time was spent, and the second day was lost without having done any thing.

On the third, preparations were made to quit the frigate, and the efforts made the day before to get her afloat, were renewed, but only half measures were taken.  The other preparations to insure our safety were not carried on with any activity.  Every thing went wrong.  A list of the people was made, and they were distributed between the boats and the raft, in order that they might hold themselves ready to embark when it should be time.  I was set down for the long boat.  Our mode of living, during all this time, was extremely singular.  We all worked either at the pump or at the capstern.  There was no fixed time for meals, we eat just as we could snatch an opportunity.  The greatest confusion prevailed, the sailors already attempted to plunder the trunks. (B)

[B3] X.—­The Frigate lost.

On the fourth the weather being fine, and the wind favourable to the motion which we wished to give to the vessel, we succeeded in it.  The most ardent hope was excited among all the crew, we even supped very cheerfully; we flattered ourselves that we should free the vessel and sail the next day.  A beautiful evening encouraged our hopes, we slept upon deck by moonlight; but at midnight the sky was overclouded, the wind rose, the sea swelled, the frigate began to be shaken.  These shocks were much more dangerous than those in the night of the third.  At three o’clock in the morning the master-caulker came to tell the captain that the vessel had sprung a leak and was filling; we immediately flew to the pumps, but in vain, the hull was split, all endeavours to save the frigate were given up, and nothing thought of but how to save the people. (B)