of very heavy rain; but unfortunately broke over in a more dreadful storm of thunder and lightning, attended with gusts of wind, and very little rain, succeeded by a violent gale of several hours from the S.W. in which we were near perishing. On this occasion the master and the gunner succeeded each other at the helm, and by their experience and judgment in the management of the boat, we were this night enabled to traverse in safety an ocean of such fierce and tremendous seas, in different directions, as we could scarcely allow ourselves the hope of escaping.
“At day-break the gunner, who was then at the helm, discovered a ship at a little distance from us, under her bare poles. Our joy at this sight was great beyond expression; and, anxious to secure so favorable an occasion, we immediately made more sail, and between five and six o’clock passed close under her stern, and informed her people of our distresses. We then veered about, and put alongside her on the other tack.
“The people on board her crouded immediately to our assistance, and received us in the most friendly manner. As soon as we were alongside, several of them jumped in, and assisted in keeping the boat from being stove.
“This ship was named the Viscountess de Bretagne, a French merchantman, Martin Doree, master, with part of Walsh’s, or 95th regiment, from the Isle of France, to touch at the Cape of Good Hope for a supply of water and provisions, on her way to Europe. The officers of this corps were unbounded in their friendship and attention towards us, affording us every possible comfort, and even giving up their beds for our use.
“Jan. 18th. – At noon anchored in Table Bay, Cape of Good Hope.”
“We will now proceed to relate the perilous situation of the Guardian, left at the mercy of Providence in a most boisterous ocean, with little prospect but by his Almighty assistance, of ever again seeing, much less reaching a port. Lieutenant Riou, with that manly firmness and perseverance which will ever reflect the highest honor on him as a man and an officer, was indefatigable in his efforts to preserve the ship, and by his noble example encouraged the remaining crew to use every exertion in their power to this effect. He had not only to struggle against the boisterous element in which this melancholy accident had happened, but also to discover means by which he could divert the minds of a desponding crew, worn down with fatigue, and despairing of ever being relieved from their miserable situation. A still greater difficulty with which he had to contend, was the discontent frequently manifested by his people; and which was only prevented
