table.  As soon as he perceived it, he asked his servants who could have given orders to the store-keeper to suspend, in respect to himself, the decree of the general council?  All the company then interfered, and said that the council had never had any idea of putting him upon an allowance, and that he ought to permit this exception.  The General, turning to one of his aides-de-camp, said:  “go and tell the store-keeper, that I put him provisionally under arrest, for having exceeded my orders; and you, gentlemen, know that I am incapable of infringing on the means of subsistance of the unhappy slaves, who would certainly want food, while I had a superfluous supply on my table:  learn that a French general knows how to bear privations, as well as the brave soldiers under his command.”  During the short time of the scarcity, which lasted four months, the General would never permit a larger ration to be given to him, than that which came to the meanest slave; his example prevented every body from murmuring, and the colony was saved.  While they were suffering the severest privations the harvest was approaching, and, at length, delivered St. Louis from the scarcity.  At the same time, vessels arrived from France, and brought abundant supplies.  But soon after, the English returned to besiege St. Louis, and made themselves master of it.  Though this note has carried us rather away from our subject, we would not pass over in silence, so honorable a trait; it is a homage paid to the memory of the brave General Blanchot.  We may add, that after having been governor, during a long series of years, he died without fortune.  How few men do we find who resemble Blanchot?

[38] Every body knows the popular proverb, which very well expresses our idea:  “That which is worth taking, is worth keeping.”

[39] It will hardly be believed to how many popular reports, these 100,000 francs have given rise.  There are people who do not believe that they were ever embarked on board the frigate.  How do they explain this supposition?  It is by asking how the conduct of persons, who had sold the interest of their country, and their honor, to foreign interests, would have been different from that of certain persons?  For our part, we do not doubt but that this report is a fable.  The folly, the pride, the obstinacy which conducted us on the bank of Arguin, have no need of having another crime added to them.  Besides, if there are, sometimes, persons who sell their honor, there are none who, at the same time, sell their lives; and those whom people would accuse of something more than extreme incapacity, have sufficiently proved in dangers which threatened themselves, that they well knew how to provide for their own safety.

[40] Probably the cross of the legion of honor—­T.