HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
134 
where we found a few small houses inhabited by Dutch families, who received us 
with great kindness. These people had cleared as much land as was necessary for 
them, in a very pleasant valley. They had the greater part of our plants in their 
gardens, as well as those of India; and they cultivated a considerable quantity of 
tobacco. Their yards were filled with poultry, which proved a great luxury to us 
after our long abode at Rodriguez. The cottages of this little colony were covered 
with the leaves of the latanier, as our huts had been; but they were larger and 
more elevated, because this island is less exposed than Rodriguez to the fury of 
hurricanes. 
“ These good people live, in a great measure, by hunting, and they have dogs for 
that purpose. After we had remained about a month with them, five of our party 
were commissioned to give notice of our arrival to the Governor. The place of 
his residence, which was called Frederick Henry, was situated on the south-east side 
of the island, at the distance of twenty-eight miles from the place where we had 
taken our temporary abode. The name of the governor was Rodolpho Deodati, a 
native of Geneva. While our deputies were gone to wait upon him, he himself 
arrived at the place where we were, in the course of his annual tour round the island, 
I was no sooner informed of this circumstance, than I went with my companion 
who remained with me, to demand his protection, which he immediately promised 
in the most obliging manner. After he had heard our history, both he and his 
attendants considered our sorry bark with astonishment, and expressed their surprise 
at the rashness of our enterprize. He promised to send us an anchor, which wc 
should find in passing to the North-west Port, as it might be serviceable to us in 
going to the Lodge; the name given in these islands to the habitation of the 
governor, in whatever form it may be constructed. He also assured us in the most 
civil terms, that we should want for nothing ; and added, that we might indulge the 
pleasing expectation of a vessel, which would arrive in a short time. 
“ In consequence of these kind expressions, which he frequently repeated, we 
departed from the Black River, where our deputies had rejoined us, and happily 
arrived at the North-west Port; but we found no anchor, as the Governor had 
promised, nor could we obtain the necessary instructions: for instead of our being 
informed how we might continue our voyage to the Lodge, we were told that we 
must carry our baggage to Flacq, a small village which contained the Company’s 
garden, and was about eight leagues from thence. As this fatiguing journey ap¬ 
peared to be inevitable, we resolved to undertake it; and accordingly transported 
