CHAP. I. 
FAREWELL VISIT TO THE “INDIANA/ 
15 
its end. Two ship’s lanterns were suspended, one on each 
side of this rude pulpit, which was secured by seamen sitting 
on each side and holding the chest upright with their hands. 
The boatswain, an old man-of-war’s man, sat by my side. 
The berths and forecastle were filled with sailors and firemen, 
who listened with attention and seriousness to a plain dis¬ 
course. The captain w T as pleased with this conduct of the 
men, and both he and the first officer said it was an unusual 
thing for sailors to request to have religious worship amongst 
themselves. 
Daylight, on the 7th of June, revealed to us the fertile 
and romantic-looldng island of Mauritius, which we ap¬ 
proached from the southward; and, after proceeding along 
its western shore, gazing with unspeakable delight on the 
varied and picturesque forms of its lofty mountains or its 
wide fields of sugar cane, we cast anchor in the harbour of 
Port Louis early in the forenoon, having been little more 
than seven weeks since leaving England. On landing soon 
afterwards, we were cordially welcomed by Messrs. Le Brun, 
and by the close of the day found ourselves comfortably 
domiciled beneath the hospitable roof of Mr. Kelsey and his 
amiable family. 
Before the vessel in which we had sailed left Mauritius, 
I paid a farewell visit to the captain, officers, and pas¬ 
sengers, and received from every individual the most cordial 
and affectionate expressions of desire for my welfare. When 
I left the saloon I found at the ship’s side a number of the 
inferior officers, firemen, and sailors, waiting to take leave of 
me and to wish me God speed. I received their willing and 
hearty expressions of good-will as a reason for hope that some 
benefit had been derived from my intercourse with them; and 
should it ever be my lot to make another voyage, I shall 
think myself highly favoured if I sail with a commander 
equally able, attentive, and obliging, with officers and men 
