Page:Memoirs of Vidocq, Volume 2.djvu/95

fired upon by six English ships of the line, whose solid hulks were furrowing the waves. Each spectator, with an anxiety more easily imagined than described, followed with his eyes the bark in which he was most interested, and, according as it was sunk or escaped from peril, were cries, tears, lamentations, or transports of rapturous joy evinced. Mothers, daughters, wives, and children, tore their hair, rent their clothes, threw themselves on the earth, uttering imprecations and blasphemies. Others, without reflecting how much they insulted distress, without thinking of rendering thanks to heaven, towards which their suppliant hands had been raised the instant before, danced, sung, and, with faces shining through forgotten tears, manifested every symptom of the most overpowering joy. Fervent vows, the patronage of Saint Nicholas, the efficacy of his intercession, all was forgotten. Perhaps, next day, recollection might have returned, and a little more compassion been evinced for a suffering neighbour; but during the storm egotism was paramount; and, as I was answered, "every one for himself."