About two o’clock, a small boat arrived; the master of it asked for Mr. Picard; he was sent by one of the old friends of that gentleman, and brought him provisions and clothes for his family.  He gave notice to us all, in the name of the English Governor, that two other boats loaded with provisions, were coming.  Having to wait till they arrived, I could not remain with Mr. Picard’s family.  I know not what emotion arose in my soul when I saw the fine white bread cut, and the wine poured out, which would have given me so much pleasure.  At four o’clock we also were able to eat bread and good biscuit, and to drink excellent Madeira, which was lavished on us with little prudence.  Our sailors were drunk; even those among us who had been more cautious, and whose heads were stronger, were, to say the least, very merry.  How did our tongues run as we went down the river in our boats!  After a short and happy navigation, we landed at Saint Louis, about seven o’clock in the evening.

But what should we do? whither should we go?  Such were our reflections when we set foot on shore.  They were not of long duration.  We met with some of our comrades belonging to the boats who had arrived before us, who conducted us, and distributed us among various private houses, where every thing had been prepared to receive us well.  I shall always remember the kind hospitality which was shewn to us, in general, by the white inhabitants of St. Louis, both English and French.  We were all made welcome; we had all clean linen to put on, water to wash our feet; a sumptuous table was ready for us.  As for myself, I was received, with several of my companions, in the house of Messrs. Potin and Durecur, Merchants of Bordeaux.  Every thing they possessed was lavished upon us.  They gave me linen, light clothes, in short, whatever I wanted.  I had nothing left.  Honour to him, who knows so well how to succour the unfortunate; to him especially who does it with so much simplicity, and as little ostentation as these gentlemen did.  It seemed that it was a duty for them to assist every body.  They would willingly have left to others no share in the good that was to be done.  English officers eagerly claimed the pleasure, as they expressed it, of having some of the shipwrecked people to take care of.  Some of us had feather beds, others good mattrasses laid upon mats, which they found very comfortable.  I slept ill notwithstanding, I was too much fatigued, too much agitated:  I always fancied, myself either bandied about by the waves, or treading on the burning sands.(B)

[A11] XXI.—­On the Manufactures of the Moors.