124 Till] RISE OF THE FRENCH POWER IN INDIA. chap, desert island within it, the work of refitting was under-
- _ , taken. Perhaps never was snch a work begun under
1746. so many accumulated disadvantages. The island was marshy and insalubrious ; the periodical rains had begun ; the ships had suffered fearfully, and their crews were knocked up by fatigue. There was no landing- place ; the forest whence wood was to be procured was on the mainland, upward of two miles distant ; between it and the shore was a marsh three miles in circum- ference ; a winding river, with sufficient water to render the frequent crossing it wearisome, but not sufficient to float the logs down to the sea ; and, even when in the sea, they were yet three miles from the shipping. But these difficulties, great as they were, were all overcome. He built a quay of the stone which the island pro- duced, he erected workshops for the construction of masts, ropes, and other appliances ; he threw a road across the marsh ; he caused the logs to be dragged along the bed of the river, and constructing rude canoes, he launched them at its mouth, and by their aid paddled the logs to the side of the disabled vessels. To choose these logs, he penetrated into the pestilential forests, in order that he might be sure that he had the advantage of the best species of wood procurable. His example stimulated the whole fleet. Those who, at first, had been inclined to show discontent, could not long resist his magic influence. But a short time elapsed before all worked with an energy of which before they had scarcely seemed capable. At the end of forty-eight days they had repaired every damage, though at a loss, from climate and exposure, of ninety- five Europeons and thirty- three negroes. The fleet, however, was saved, and was once more ready to sail for the long-wished-for goal.* At length, on June 1, it started. It consisted now of but nine ships. Besides the " Achille " of seventy
- Mfcmoire pour La Bourdonnais.
