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