portendic

Some division of territory, or of pasturage among the hordes of the desert, was doubtless the cause, that the Europeans, who desired to carry on the gum trade, formerly chose the dangerous bay of Portendic, surrounded by a vast amphitheatre of burning sands, in preference to Cape Merick.

Alexandre Corréard - Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal in 1816: Undertaken by Order of the French Government, Comprising an Account: of the Shipwreck of the Medusa, the Sufferings of the Crew, and the: Various Occurrences on Board the Raft, in the Desert of Zaara, at: St. Louis, and at the Camp of Daccard. to Which Are Subjoined: Observations Respecting the Agriculture of the Western Coast of: Africa, from Cape Blanco to the Mouth of the Gambia.

One of the camels, laden with provisions, is immediately dispatched; those who conduct it are to go, if necessary, to Portendic, to fetch our companions in misfortune; or at least to get some information respecting them. The English envoy had money to buy us provisions. He informed us that we had still three days march to the Senegal.

Alexandre Corréard - Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal in 1816: Undertaken by Order of the French Government, Comprising an Account: of the Shipwreck of the Medusa, the Sufferings of the Crew, and the: Various Occurrences on Board the Raft, in the Desert of Zaara, at: St. Louis, and at the Camp of Daccard. to Which Are Subjoined: Observations Respecting the Agriculture of the Western Coast of: Africa, from Cape Blanco to the Mouth of the Gambia.

Its elevation and nature, afford a facility of defence, which is not found at Portendic; where there is not at present the smallest appearance of vegetation. The Estuary of the river, St. John, at the back of this Cape, is now entirely destitute of verdure, and humidity, and salt is abundant in the neighbourhood.

Alexandre Corréard - Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal in 1816: Undertaken by Order of the French Government, Comprising an Account: of the Shipwreck of the Medusa, the Sufferings of the Crew, and the: Various Occurrences on Board the Raft, in the Desert of Zaara, at: St. Louis, and at the Camp of Daccard. to Which Are Subjoined: Observations Respecting the Agriculture of the Western Coast of: Africa, from Cape Blanco to the Mouth of the Gambia.

After this pretended reconnaissance of the 2d July, if we were persuaded that we had seen that Cape, we should have steered west, to double the bank of Arguin; the danger once passed, the course should have been again directed to the south which is the route to Senegal; but he who for some days past had guided the course of the ship, thought proper to persuade the captain, to take immediately the southerly course, and to steer for Portendic.

Alexandre Corréard - Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal in 1816: Undertaken by Order of the French Government, Comprising an Account: of the Shipwreck of the Medusa, the Sufferings of the Crew, and the: Various Occurrences on Board the Raft, in the Desert of Zaara, at: St. Louis, and at the Camp of Daccard. to Which Are Subjoined: Observations Respecting the Agriculture of the Western Coast of: Africa, from Cape Blanco to the Mouth of the Gambia.

Sixty-three men threw themselves into the water and reached the shore, which is only a dry and burning sand, it must have been a few leagues above Portendic. I took care not to imitate them. I remained with about twenty-six others in the long-boat, all determined to endeavour to reach the Senegal with our vessel, which was lightened of above two-thirds of its burden. It was the 6th of July.

Alexandre Corréard - Narrative of a Voyage to Senegal in 1816: Undertaken by Order of the French Government, Comprising an Account: of the Shipwreck of the Medusa, the Sufferings of the Crew, and the: Various Occurrences on Board the Raft, in the Desert of Zaara, at: St. Louis, and at the Camp of Daccard. to Which Are Subjoined: Observations Respecting the Agriculture of the Western Coast of: Africa, from Cape Blanco to the Mouth of the Gambia.