20 6 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
the Isle of France; he then directed that the inhabitants should, on Sundays, be 
trained to the use of arms; he marked out their posts and places of rendezvous, 
with orders to repair there on the first alarm : and, lastly, he gave directions that 
the first vessel which might arrive, should be sent to Goa to fetch provisions. 
Having settled these various, necessary, and wise regulations, in the Isle of Bourbon, 
he set sail from it on the 2 2d August, with the squadron, and arrived at Pondi¬ 
cherry the 30th September, which, to his great satisfaction, he found in a state of 
perfect tranquillity, from the excellent conduct of M. Dumas, the governor, who 
had found means to prevent the Mahrattas from undertaking the siege. The fac¬ 
tory at Mahe, was, however, in great danger, having been blockaded for eighteen 
months by the people of the country; and, in consequence of the suggestions of 
the governor and council of Pondicherry, he set sail on the 22d of October to the 
relief of that place. 
During his voyage thither, he employed his utmost attention to exercise his 
forces, which were raw and undisciplined; and, notwithstanding the almost insuper¬ 
able difficulties which presented themselves, he contrived by diligence, skill, and 
a perfect knowledge of the country, to fit his people for the service wherein they 
were to be employed. 
The enemy, with whom he had to contend, occupied a mountainous country, 
intersected bv ditches of fifteen feet in depth, which might be considered as so many 
slaughter-houses to the Europeans who should be so rash as to venture among 
them. These people, which are called Naires , are of a large size, of a copper 
colour, and active and vigorous. Their sole profession is that of arms, and 
they would be excellent soldiers, if they were in a state of discipline. As they fight 
without order, they take to flight whenever they are attacked by superior force ; 
but if they find themselves pressed with vigour, and that they are in actual 
danger, they re-engage with desperate fury, and an unyielding resolution to conquer 
or to die. 
The Naires which were encamped before Mahe , had determined to make an 
attack on the following day, when M. de la Bourdonnais arrived with two ships; and 
the disembarkment of his troops checked their design. As there was no kind of 
proportion between the numbers of the enemy, and the handful of men which he 
commanded, he did not venture to risk a general engagement. His knowledge and 
experience suggested to him, that he could alone insure success by opposing order 
