Page:Voyage in search of La Perouse, volume 2 (Stockdale).djvu/396

334 been struck by lightning, and they informed me that the same circumstance frequently happens upon many other hills in the island. In fact, these high trees are particularly exposed by their situation, to the terrible effects of the lightning; besides, the sap, with which they abound, contributes in a great degree to attract the electric matter.

On the 5th of April, we were informed that a packet was shortly to sail from Batavia for Europe. The Governor of Samarang was willing that two of us should go to Batavia, to solicit permission of the Regency for themselves to return in this vessel. As we were all animated by the same desire of revisiting our native country, we agreed to cast lots. The fortunate persons were Citizens Riche and Legrand, and on the 6th of May they set out for Batavia.

Twelve days after we received orders from the Governor of Samarang, to go to the same place, and there to wait for another opportunity of returning to France, than that of the packet above mentioned; for it was even very uncertain, whether or not Riche and Legrand would find a place in it.

Some of the Dutch who were interested about us, informed us that the fleet, upon which our hopes of returning to Europe depended, was not