HEROES OF EXPLORATION. 



157 



out an expedition under M. Baudin. With characteristic energy, Flinders 

 did his work in advance of his French rival, who was driven by scurvy to 

 Sydney. Flinders was returning home when the state of his rotten vessel 

 forced him to put into the Mauritius, which then belonged to France. 

 Here, despite his passport, his ship was seized, and he was thrown into 

 prison. M. Baudin called at the Mauritius soon afterwards, and he is 



Splitters in the Forest. 



accused by history of a great treachery. Certainly there is much that 

 charity finds it difficult to explain in M. Baudin's conduct. It is written 

 that he copied the charts and papers of the prisoner. This seems to be an 

 incredible meanness ; but it is certain that he connived at the detention, and 

 that on his return to France he published a work anticipating all that 

 Flinders could say, ignoring the labours of the prisoner, and representing 

 himself as the great Australian discoverer of the day. 



