li 



202 Memoir of Charles Alexander Lesueur. 



computed period of their absence. These restrictions were a per- 

 petual clog to the scientific men, and, in some instances, were near 

 causing their destruction. At Sharks-bay, Endracht Land, a party 

 of sailors, under the command of Lieutenant Montbazin, was 

 ordered on shore, for the purpose of making salt. Peron, Petit 

 the portrait painter, and an assistant gardener, accompanied them, 

 These three started along the coast for the purpose of making 

 collections of natural curiosities. Not returning according to ap- 

 pointment, the officer became alarmed for their safety, and des- 

 patched persons in search of them. In the mean time a gun was 

 fired from the ship, for the recall of the boat. This was a mo- 

 ment of anxiety to a generous heart. The search was continued, 

 although two guns more told what were the dictates of the stern 

 commander. At length the poor wanderers, who had missed 

 their way, were found when they were on the point of perishing 

 with fatigue, hunger and thirst : they had not tasted food or 

 water for forty-four hours. Peron could scarcely see or hear, 

 and his parched tongue denied him the use of speech. It was 

 late in the evening when they reached their boat. The supply 

 of provisions was entirely exhausted, and there was not a drop of 

 water left to allay their burning thirst. All night long were they 

 compelled to lie upon the beach, in a state between life and 

 death ; and it was not until the afternoon of the following day 

 that they were enabled to rejoin the ship. There were they 

 welcomed, however, with that kindness v/hich compassionate 

 hearts know how to exercise. One individual alone stood un- 

 moved amid the general sympathy, and that one was the com- 

 mander himself, who, in a tone of unusual asperity, demanded 

 why his orders had not been promptly obeyed. In vain did the 

 Lieutenant attempt to justify his disobedience on the score of hu- 

 manity; in vain did he point to the pallid countenance, and 

 sunken eyes, of those whom he had rescued from death ; his 

 crime admitted of no palliation : he was sentenced to pay a fine 

 of ten francs for each gun fired for his recall ; " and this atrocious 

 judgment/' says Ptiron, " he had the audacity to record in his 

 journal! Miserable wretch ! in order to save his life at Timor* 

 I shared with him the small supply of some excellent quinquina* 

 which I had reserved for my private use. ; 'f 



The 



for several hours lie was supposed to be dying. His restoration was owing to a 

 powerful dose of Penman bark, which PfcrOU had brought with him from France. 

 f Parmi les principales causes de nos desastres, il faut compter surtout rincon- 



j rarmi les principales causes de nos ue>astres, n taut compter surtout nncuu- 

 cevable opiniatrete de notre Chef a ne jamais prendre a bord cle Ml vaisseaux q" e 

 la quantite de vivrea ri/mureusement necessaire Dour le temiw mi'il «p nronosait de 



i impi 

 produisaient des i 



ipensables 



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