Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 1 (Stockdale).djvu/426

398 minated, and he said that the plants must be about eighteen inches in height, before they were committed to the earth, assuring me that, but for this precaution, many of them would rot, without springing up.

As the moment of our departure from Amboyna approached, I sent on board the collections, which I had made in that charming island, and on the 13th I followed them in person.

14th. The express orders, which had been issued the evening before, for every one belonging to the expedition to repair on board the frigates, made us suppose that every thing was ready for our departure, and that nothing but contrary winds could prevent us from sailing. A part, however, of the water, which had been consumed while we lay at anchor, still remained to be replaced; and, as this business was not finished till the afternoon, we could not take our departure till the next day.

The people belonging to the ships were very well satisfied with this relaxation. They had enjoyed as much leisure as they could desire, and slaves had even been employed to bring on board our complement of wood and water, in the large shallops which they call yacou.

Our ship had been caulked, and having been surveyed,