TERRA AUSTRALIS. 
363 
Port Louis,'] 
foion, who seeing the grenadier and not at first recollecting our situ- 
ation, answered in a manner that would have diverted me at any 
other time. The sentinel did not prevent us speaking together ; and 
on looking out at the window, we found that it was in reality a ta- 
vern where they had placed us, though a very dirty one ; it bore the 
name of Cafe Marengo. A breakfast was brought at eight, and dinner 
at twelve, and we eat heartily ; good bread, fresh meat, fruit, and 
vegetables being great rarities. 
At one o'clock, the aide-de-camp, whom I learned to be 
lieut. colonel Monistrol, came to the tavern and desired me to 
accompany him to the general ; and being shown into an office, a 
German secretary, who spoke some English, put various questions 
to me from a paper, in substance nearly as follows. How it was 
that I appeared at the Isle of France in so small a vessel, when my 
passport was for the Investigator ? What was become of the officers 
and men of science who made part of the expedition ? Whether 
I had any knowledge of the war before arriving ? Why cartel 
coloursffiad been hoisted, and a vessel chased in sight of the island ? 
What were my objects for putting into Port North-West, and by 
what authority ? The orders from governor King, relating to the 
Cumberland, were also demanded, and carried to the captain-general 
with my answers to the above questions ; and soon afterward to my 
surprise, an invitation was brought me to go to the general’s table, 
his dinner being then served up. This invitation was so contrary to 
all that had hitherto passed, and being unaccompanied with any 
explanation, that I at first thought it could not be serious, and an- 
swered that I had already dined ; but on being pressed to go at least 
to the table, my reply was, that “ under my present situation and 
“ treatment it was impossible ; when they should be changed, — 
“ when I should be set at liberty, if His Excellency thought proper 
“ to invite me, I should be flattered by it, and accept his invitation 
“ with pleasure." It had indeed the air of an experiment, to ascer- 
tain whether I were really a commander in the British navy ; and had 
1803. 
December. 
Sunday IS, 
