894 
A VOYAGE TO 
[At Mauritius. 
1804 
June. 
advantage of this r<ght, hut had given the glass in question to an 
officer of La Semillante, to, be used against the enemies of his country. 
This answer not appearing satisfactory, the gentleman replied that 
he did not understand how a spy-glass, belonging to a surgeon, as Mr. 
Robertson was, could be construed imo arms or instruments of war. 
The owner had come to the island on account of his health, pre- 
viously to the war, and been detained, therefore no extraordinary 
courage had been displayed in his case; and as these circumstances 
<must have been forgotten by the major, he hoped the glass would 
be restored according to promise. To this no answer was returned; 
and whether all the glasses were given away, or how disposed of I 
did not learn, but had to regret the loss of two. 
To the measure of taking away our spy-glasses was added that 
of nailing up the door leading to the flat roof of the house. At sunset 
the sentinel was accustomed to quit the outer gate, and to be posted 
before the door of the prison to prevent any person going into 
the inclosure after that time ; then it was that a walk upon the 
roof, after the heat of the day was passed, became a real pleasure; 
but of this we were now deprived.* On the following day a demand 
was made by a serjeant of invalids, who lived in the house as police 
officer, of the swords and all other arms in possession of the prisoners, 
and of mine amongst the rest ; but not choosing to deliver up my 
sword in this manner, I addressed a short letter to the captain- 
general, representing that it was inconsistent with my situation in 
His Britannic Majesty's service to do so ; I was ready to deliver it 
to an officer bearing His Excellency's order, but requested that 
officer might be of equal rank to myself. In a week captain 
Neufville called to say, that it was altogether a mistake of the ser- 
* It being afterward suspected, and not without reason, that some of the gentlemen 
had forced the door, we were officially informed that the sentinels had received orders to 
shoot any one who might be seen on the roof; this produced greater circumspection, but 
the pleasure of the walk and having a view of the sea was such, that it did not wholly 
remedy the evil. 
i 
