422 A VOYAGE TO [At Mauritius. 
a 1805 ^ large stones ; but I remarked with some surprise, that the produce 
tions of the stony land were generally the most vigorous. 
Neither of my conductors were acquainted with the place of 
my retreat ; they inquired of every black man on the road, as to the 
right path and the distance that yet remained ; but often could get 
no answer, — sometimes it was three-quarters, and sometime? two 
leagues ; at length we found ourselves surrounded on all sides by 
wood, the road had diminished to a foot path, it was dark, and began 
to rain. It was then judged necessary to turn back and make for a 
light near the road, to obtain a guide; and it seemed odd that the 
person applied to should answer in English, that the plantation of 
Madame D’Arifat was just bye. He proved to be an Irishman 
named Druse, who had been settled more than twenty years in this 
distant island as a carpenter ; he had known that an English officer 
was coming to reside here, and undertook to be our guide, seeming 
to be not a little pleased at again using his native language. 
A black man who had charge of the plantation in the absence 
of the proprietor, had received orders to accommodate us ; but not 
finding my servant and lame seaman who should have arrived 
the day before, we walked half a league to the habitation of M. de 
Chazal, a friend of M. Pitot who had the goodness to send out my 
baggage. Next morning we returned, and my abode was fixed in 
one of two little pavilions detached from the house, the other being 
appropriated to my two men; and M. Pitot having brought me 
acquainted with a family resident on an adjoining plantation, and 
made some inquiries and arrangements as to supplies of provisions, 
he and his companion M. Bayard then returned to the town. 
September. My attention for the first several weeks was principally directed 
to acquiring a knowledge of the surrounding country, its natural 
curiosities and romantic views ; and as these are well worth notice, 
a description of the most remarkable objects, with an account of the 
cultivation and produce of this secluded part of Mauritius, may pro- 
bably be acceptable to some readers. 
