It took from the 19th of January to the 2nd of February to make the trip back to the ship at Calcutta, where, on our arrival, they gave us a salute. Here we were _fêted_ for a few days. Dinners and receptions were given in our honour, and the petty officers and men were entertained at the public expense. Of my passage home in the _Pearl_ there is nothing of much interest to relate. We touched at Madras; and at the Cape, and there I met with the heart-breaking news of my beloved mother’s death. Those who have known the depths of a mother’s love will be able to measure the terrible blow that then fell on me. She, the one in the world I longed to see again, to talk over with her the many adventures I had had since last we parted--she was gone. CHAPTER XX HOME AGAIN The _Pearl_ arrived at Spithead early in June, and was immediately paid off. Our Lieutenants were all promoted, and the midshipmen were to have their Lieutenants’ commissions when duly qualified after examination. Besides, we received the great honour of being voted the thanks of both Houses of Parliament for our services during the mutiny. After two months’ leave I was appointed to the _Algiers_, then in the Channel Fleet. I had to wait until the following spring to complete my six years as a mid and to attain the age of nineteen. I now had to set to work and get up my navigation and gunnery, so long neglected, in order to qualify in February. While I was in the Channel Fleet there was the usual cruising--to Vigo, Lisbon, and so forth;--but we spent most of the winter of 1859 lying in Portland Roads. How dull that service was to me after years of excitement and constant change!