Like most other Scotsmen, when at a distance from their native land, he displayed a strong feeling of _amor patriæ_, and was particularly attentive to any of his countrymen he happened to meet with abroad, a fact which perhaps laid the foundation of his attachment to Mackenzie. At any rate, when he was on the lakes, there happened to be some species of merry-making among the officers, when he met, for the first time, a gentleman from Edinburgh, belonging to the medical department. As he had a very youthful appearance, Clapperton supposed that he must be inexperienced, and from a sincere desire to be serviceable to him, he took him aside and advised him always to maintain his rights, gave him some sage advice about his dress, and decorated his right thigh with a brilliant, scarlet-coloured watch ribbon. This gentleman took all in good part, assumed the aspect of the greenhorn which Clapperton supposed him to be, and allowed him both to direct and decorate him as he pleased. But when he understood that he was of considerable standing in the service, he came to him and apologized for his mistake—a thing which was of course accepted, and the curious incident proved the commencement of a sincere and firm friendship on both sides. SECT. VII.—HIS SECOND STEP OF PROMOTION, AND HIS CONDUCT WHILE AN OFFICER ON HALF-PAY. When Sir Edward Owen returned to England towards the end of 1816, he got Clapperton’s commission confirmed. Previous to this he had been examined as to his knowledge of naval tactics, and the information which he had displayed both as a theoretical and practical seaman was highly satisfactory to his examinators. The manner especially in which he had kept his log-book, was the cause of procuring for him the greatest encomiums. It is the practice of the officers of his majesty’s ships to note down at noon, in their log-books, what sails the ships to which they respectively belong, then carry. And as Clapperton had a natural talent for drawing, which he had cultivated with care, instead of doing this in the ordinary way, he represented the state of his ship’s canvass, at the hour required, by a spirited sketch. He likewise shewed, by the ingenious efforts of his pencil, the different headlands and the peculiar appearance of the coasts, together with their harbours, noting at the same time their soundings, and the mode of approaching them. This log-book was so highly approved by his examinators, that they asked him to allow them to transmit it to the Admiralty—a request which being readily granted, it was sent there, where it still remains. As Great Britain was now at peace with the whole world, Lieutenant Clapperton like many others was put on half pay, and soon afterwards returned to Edinburgh in 1817.