HISTORY OF MAURITIUS. 
49 1 
rapidly along: the wind drove the thick fog into the vallies, the sea foamed, while 
the pirogua carried its two sails, and proceeded with great expedition. 
“ When we were upon that part of the coast called Flicq-en-flacq, about half a 
league from land, we were overtaken by a squall, which obliged us to strike our 
sails: we were to windward of the shore, which, being lined with rocks, it was 
impossible for us to approach. At length, however, after various difficulties, we 
got to the mouth x>f the Black river, where we disembarked, and were received by 
my friend with those attentions which indemnified me for the inconveniences I had 
suffered. His estate comprehends the whole of the valley which is watered by that 
river, and is very imperfectly represented on the chart of the Abbe de la Caille: 
he has omitted a branch of the mountain which is on the right bank, and is called 
the Morne du Tamarin; besides, the course of the river is not in a straight line: at a 
league from its mouth it turns to the left. That learned astronomer confined him¬ 
self principally to the circuit of the island, and I have made some addition to the 
map, as laid down by him. The country about the Black river is abundant in 
every thing; game, deer, river and sea fish are in great plenty, the latter of which 
are easily taken: to these may be added, the land and sea turtle. This plantation 
is conducted with great order and regularity; the huts of the Negroes are ranged in 
a line,like the tents of a camp; and each of them has a little garden, in which he 
cultivates tobacco, &c. Sheep and the domestic fowls, are in great number: 
grasshoppers do a great deal of mischief to the plantations; and it is very diffi¬ 
cult to transport any weighty articles to the town, as the roads are almost im¬ 
passible by land, and the wind ever contrary by sea. After-having reposed myself 
some days, I determined to return to the town by a circuitous way through the 
plains of Williams. 
t( I accordingly set off at two in the afternoon, in order to sleep at Falma, a plan¬ 
tation at the distance of three leagues, which belonged to M. Cossigni: the only 
way to it is along small paths among the rocks, I was consequently obliged to 
travel on foot. When I had passed the chain of mountains that stretches along 
the Black river, I found myself in a vast forest, of which no part had been 
cleared. The path conducted me to the only plantation in this quarter, and it 
passed close to the house. The master of it was at his door, without any covering 
to his legs, and the sleeves of his shirt tucked up: he was amusing himself with 
rubbing a monkey over with red mulberries, and was himself bedaubed with their 
3 R 2 
