398 
A VOYAGE TO 
[At Mauritius. 
iso4. in the day, without salt or vegetables, which afforded them but a 
poor dinner and was ffieir only meal in twenty-four hours. Several 
petitions and complaints had been made to the officer who had charge 
of them, but without effect; and they at length resolved that two ol 
their number should escape out of the prison, and go to the pi efet to 
make their complaint. It was to be feared that they would be con- 
sidered as prisoners attempting to escape, if found openly in the town ; 
and therefore, after giving them money to satisfy their immediate 
hunger, my servant was sent with them and a note to the interpreter, 
requesting he would be good enough to take them to the town- 
major’s office, where they might tell their story; and the result was, 
that they were put on board the prison ship, and kept in irons for 
several weeks. Mr. Cbarrington, my boatswain, had hitherto been 
treated as a common seaman; but through the obliging mediation 
of M. Bonnefoy, the allowance and portion of liberty granted to 
mates of merchant ships were obtained for him ; and by two or three 
opportunities I sent tea and a few dollars to the seamen, on finding 
they were so miserably fed. 
In the middle of this month, two of the officers who had resided 
with their wives at Pamplemousses, obtained permission to go on 
their parole to India, through the interest of captain Bergeret. 'This 
worthy man had frequently come to the Garden 1 iison, and at this 
time undertook to apply to the captain-general for my books and 
papers, and for Mr. Aken and myself to be removed to 1 ample- 
j u iy. mousses; on the 2 nd of July he called early with information of 
having succeeded in both applications ; he had even ventured to 
propose my being sent to France, but to this it was answered, thai the, 
affair being submitted to the decision of the government, I must re- 
main until its orders were received. 
In a few days M. Bonnefoy conducted me to the secretary s 
office, and I took out of the sealed trunk all the books, chaits, and 
papers which required any additions, or were necessary to the finish- 
ing of others ; as also a bundle of papers containing my passport. 
/ 
