FEJEE ISLANDS. 153 



veying to be done, and a number of base lines to be measured 

 by sound, she was requested by Captain Hudson to fire her 

 guns as signals. The request was complied with, and Mr. 

 Baxter acted as gunner. He had fired the first gun, and was 

 re-priming for the second, when a spark coming from a part 

 of the cylinder which hung in the chamber of the gun, com- 

 municated with the powder-horn which he held in his hand, 

 and exploded. This communicated with a cylinder weighing 

 about two pounds, which he carried in the bosom of his shirt, 

 which also exploded, and burned his breast, stomach and face 

 in the most dreadful manner. He was immediately conveyed to 

 the " Peacock," where every attention was shown him. On 

 her arrival at this place he was sent on shore, where a com- 

 fortable tent was erected for his accommodation. He was 

 constantly attended by a surgeon, but to no purpose. After 

 forty days and forty nights of the most excruciating suf- 

 fering, he expired. He was buried on a point near the 

 ships, with a head-stone and suitable epitaph. He was a 

 native of France, and in his last moments communicated to 

 Doctor Guillou his real name, which was Vincente Pierre 

 Boudette. 



It is proper to state that the cylinders used on the occasion 

 were made of canvas. Had they been flannel, the usual 

 material, we presume the accident would not have happened. 



On the 22d, the " Peacock " got under- way, with orders to 

 proceed to Matawata Bay. 



On the afternoon of the 28th, Captain Hudson came on 

 board ; and at an early hour the following day, we set out to 

 join the " Peacock " ; but the wind fell light and baffling, and 

 we finally were obliged to anchor again off Naloa Bay, to keep 

 from being drifted on the neighboring reef. Naloa Bay is 

 remarkable as the spot where the Chevalier Dillon was attacked 



