the Mauritius, and there were many English prisoners on the island.  Their detention became a little less wearisome with work, music, billiards, astronomy, and pleasant companionship.  It was a curious company.  Prisoners who were gathered from many parts of the world and grades of society strove only to make the time pass easily, and succeeded until de Caen heard of this and ordered, in his usual haughty style, that “spy-glasses and such things” should be taken away, and if anything were concealed, then the prisoners were to be kept in close confinement, and if they showed themselves outside of the house, were to be shot.  Their swords were demanded.  Flinders refused to give his up to the petty officer sent to receive it.  “Very well,” said the inconsistent de Caen, “as he is not a prisoner, he may keep his.”

In July, 1805, the captive wrote to Banks this letter:—­

“My last letter to you was dated May 16th, and sent by Mr. Atkin, the master of the Investigator, who, having obtained his leave to depart, took his route by the way of America.  He had not been gone many days when an English squadron of four ships appeared off this island, and they are now cruising round it; and about a fortnight since two cartels arrived here with French prisoners from Calcutta and Ceylon.  In return for these, all the prisoners of war in this island are to be sent back, and I only to be excepted.  It seems that, notwithstanding my imprisonment has continued near nineteen months, the French governor has not received orders from his Government as to the disposal of my person and papers.  They have told him he did right to detain and secure me; but their final decision is deferred to their next despatches.  These are expected very soon, and then possibly I may be either liberated, or sent to France to be tried as a spy.

“The French captain Bergeret, who arrived from Calcutta, professes to be much interested for me; and, since he has influence with General de Caen, it is possible that I may obtain some little indulgence of liberty after my countrymen are gone. [Sidenote:  1805] Both justice and humanity ought to have obtained this at least for me before; but it seems to be only to private favour and party interest that any concession is made by this arbitrary general.

“Upon the supposition that the first despatches from France will occasion my removal, I expect to be in England or in France, upon a reasonable computation, about February or March, 1806, at which time I anxiously hope and pray that I may find you, my best and most powerful friend, in the possession of health and happiness, and my country enjoying the sweets that must arise from an honourable peace.

“Had I been permitted to go to India with the other prisoners, it was my intention to have applied to Sir Edward Pellew for a ship to go upon the north-west coast of New Holland, to ascertain the existence of an entrance into an inland sea, near the Rosemary Isles of Dampier, previously to my return to Europe, for during the continuance of such a war as the present, I can scarcely hope to get a ship in England to complete the Investigator’s voyage.  This project, however, is now dissipated.”

And again in November of the same year he wrote:—­