290 
Returning to the Cape from Algoa Bay, the 72d sailed 
from thence for the reduction of the Isle of France, in 
October, 1810; and the account of that Island we shall 
relate in Capt. Carmichael's own words. 
* At the time that the expedition against the Isle of France 
was projected by our Indian Government, it was judged 
necessary to apply for a reinforcement of troops from the 
Cape of Good Hope, to co-operate in the undertaking. At 
the same time that this requisition was made, it was intimated 
that ships should be despatched from India to convey to the 
rendezvous at Roderigues such troops as could be spared 
from the settlement. The 72d and 87th regiments, with a 
company of the Royal Artillery, were selected for this service 
by General Gray, and all the necessary arrangements made 
to embark as soon as the transports should arrive. We 
marched to Simonstown, and embarked on the 22d Septem- 
ber, 1810, and the 25th was fixed on for our departure. In 
the meantime, however, a vessel arrived from Bourbon with 
intelligence of the disastrous affair at the Ile de la Passe 
and the consequent transfer of the sovereignty of those seas 
into the hands of the enemy. Under these circumstances 
the Governor judged it prudent to defer the departure of the 
troops until the accession of a naval force sufficiently strong to 
escort us in safety, In about a fortnight, the Phoebe frigate 
and the Acton gun-brig arrived at the Cape; but this 
force being still thought inadequate, it was proposed, as a? 
additional security, to arm the transports. In another forie 
night, upwards. of one hundred pieces of cannon were 
on board the three Country ships; and as the troops had 
been constantly trained to the great-gun exercise, We 
good reason to hope that we should prove no easy conquest- 
All this settled, we left Simon's Bay on the 24th October, 
elated with the sanguine expectation that for us was. 
the honour of re-establishing the British supremacy where 
it had been so awkwardly lost. | 
Hos The term * voyage’ instinctively suggests the idea of : 
l. Whether it be from observing the 
and minuteness with which every occurrence is registered z 
