Despair inspired us with courage.

We mounted our horses and arrived at the port.

What a scene was there! the vessels had suffered shipwreck in the very harbour; the shore was covered with dead bodies, which were tossed about and dashed against the rocks, whilst many appeared struggling in the agonies of death.
Meanwhile, the raging ocean overturned many houses from their very foundations.

Above a thousand Neapolitan horsemen were assembled near the shore to assist, as it were, at the obsequies of their countrymen.

I caught from them a spirit of resolution, and was less afraid of death from the consideration that we should all perish together.