418
A VOYAGE TO
[At Mauritius.
CHAPTER VI.
Parole given. Journey into the interior of Mauritius. The governor's country seat. Residence at the Refuge, in that part of Wilhems Plains called Vacouas. Its situation and climate, with the mountains, rivers, cascades, and views near it. The Mare aux Vacouas and Grand Bassin. State of cultivation and produce of Vacouas; its black ebony, game, and wild fruits; and freedom from noxious insects.
1805.
August.My first visit after being liberated from the Garden Prison, was to captain Bergeret, whose interposition I considered to have been the principal cause of this favourable change; he obligingly offered me the accommodation of his lodging whilst in town, but M. Pitot had previously engaged my residence with him. Next morning I accompanied captain Bergeret to the town-major's office for the purpose of giving my parole, which colonel Monistrol proposed to take verbally; but to avoid all future misundertanding, I desired that it might be taken in writing, and two days afterward it was made out as follows.
- His Excellency the captain-general De Caen having given me permission to reside at Wilhems Plains, at the habitation of Madame D'Arifat, I do hereby promise, upon my parole of honour, not to go more than the distance of two leagues from the said habitation, without His Excellency's permission; and to conduct myself with that proper degree of reserve, becoming an officer residing in a country with which his nation is at war. I will also answer for the proper conduct of my two servants.
Town of Port North-west,
August 23, 1805
