220 
HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
Forval, however, was so entirely convinced of the good disposition of the people 
with whom he treated, that he yielded to the friendly solicitations of the king, to 
remain among them, and accordingly ordered some tents, and a small number of 
soldiers, to remove from the little island, to the opposite coast. The king, who was 
called Adrian Baba, loaded him'with caresses; and having shewn him his herd of 
cattle, demanded, in the pride of his heart, if the King of France was so great 
as him. 
Forval, therefore, considered himself as in a perfect state of security; and having 
entered into his tent, in order to pass the night, he received an unexpected visit 
from a most beautiful woman, a native of the island, who, after a short compliment 
of apology for her intrusion, expressed her concern that so fine a white man as 
himself should be massacred. 
Forval, who was astonished at the visit, could not help taking notice of the danger 
which seemed to have produced it. The sooty lady, who appeared to interest herself 
so much in his welfare, was the daughter of a king, and known by the title of Princess 
Betsy. On being questioned as to the cause of this visit, she asked him in her turn, 
if he would wish to sacrifice her life to save his own. “ By no means,” exclaimed 
Forval: <4 then,” replied she, " I will inform you of a plot formed against your life,' 
if you will promise to take me with you, and make me your wife. I will sacrifice for 
you the throne of my father, which is my inheritance; I will abandon my country, 
my friends, my customs, and that liberty which is so dear to me. My relations, 
who will consider me as dishonoured, will detest me; and if you leave me to their 
vengeance, I shall be reduced to slavery, which, to me, would be a thousand times 
worse than death. Promise to grant what I have demanded; swear that your 
soldiers shall do no injury to my relations, and I will reveal what it is of the utmost 
importance for you to know ?” Forval immediately engaged to grant her request, 
if the intelligence she announced, proved to be of the importance she had attached 
to it. 
“•Well then,” said she, “ at break of day my father will come here, under the 
pretext of a friendly visit; and if he breaks a stick which he will hold in his hand, 
that will be the signal of thy death: his guard will then enter with their hatchets, 
and will kill thee, and all thy people will be massacred with thee! ” 
Forval immediately conducted her to a place of safety. Nevertheless he was 
determined to wait till the morning, and ascertain the truth of her information. 
