148 NORTHMOST AUSTRALIA 



had taken possession of the Cape of Good Hope ; and was threaten- 

 ing Mauritius. In June, 1809, a British squadron was actually 

 blockading the island. On I5th March, De Caen consented to 

 the liberation of Flinders. On I3th June, Flinders had his sword 

 returned to him and was liberated on parole. 1 The blockading 

 squadron being still outside the harbour, Flinders arranged for a 

 passage in the " Otter " to the Cape, where he was delayed for six 

 weeks. In August, 1810, he embarked on the " Olympia " and 

 he reached ENGLAND on 2yd October. He lost no time in rejoining 

 the wife he had left as a bride more than nine years before. The 

 British captured Mauritius on 3rd December, 1810. 



In spite of failing health, Flinders laboured for over three years 

 on his narrative and charts, and his great work on Terra Australis 

 was published in 1814. The first copy of the book and atlas came 

 to his hand on i8th July, and he died on the I9th. His wife lived 

 till 1852, and he left a daughter, born 1st April, 1812. 



1 Terra Australis, II, p. 381. 



