4D: THE WBBCK OF 17^" made the passage from England to the Oape in two montlis^ while the storeship took at least seven months to cover the same distance* When on Christmas Day, 1789, the boats left what every- one regarded as a sinking ship, Riou went into his cabin A pathetic ^^^ WFoto a short but pathetic letter to the Secretary of the letter. Admiralty. It ran as follows : — "H.M. Guardian, 25 Dec, 1789, " Sir, « Lat 44' S., Long. 40° E.
- If any part of the officers or crew of the Guardian should
ever survive to get home, I have only to say their conduct after the fatal stroke agamst an island of ice was admirable and won- derful in everything that related to their duties, considered either as private men or on his Majesty's service. " As there seems to be no possibility of my remaining many hours in this world, I beg leave to recommend to the consideration of the Admiralty a sister, who, if my conduct or services should be found deserving any memory, their favours might be shown to her, together with a widowed mother.* I am, <fec., " E. Riou." A forlorn Riou was without hope, or, if he entertained any, it was °^ of the faintest kind, but he conceived it to be his duty to remain by the vessel.t He had only time to write a few lines, and he took advantage of the opportunity to praise the conduct of the oflSicers and crew, and to commend his mother and sister to the consideration of the naval authorities. He had no thought for himself but to express the hope that his memory might be honoured. This little note, written when death seemed to be close at hand, bears testimony to Riou's generosity and self-abnegation. But the brave officer was not to die then. After an heroic struggle, he brought the auhe^Ca Gr^^rdian into Table Bay, from which place, on the 22nd February, 1790, he wrote to the Secretary of the Admiralty
- Historical Becords, vol. i, part 2, p. 286.
t Williams, the boatswain, in a letter to his agents in London^ wrote :— " The commander had a strong resolution, for he said he would sooner go down in the ship than he would quit her." — Historical Records, vol. ii, p. 757.
