We had made all sail in chase, and were gaining on her. Ordered an officer and prize crew to be ready. At eight bells we had risen the foot of mainsail. She altered course, which was in our favour. The wind fell. With fire-engine and fire-buckets passed up, wetted our well-worn sails. She moved slowly, with occasional airs; so did we. Night fell calm and dark. Ten o’clock, out boats, and sent them in chase, with water and steering compasses. At 11.10 moon rose, bringing a light breeze. Our brig, being light, skimmed over the water, as did our chase. Having to hoist in boats, although we kept in sight all the next day, we lost our chance. [Sidenote: Mar. 12.] Called at Prince’s Island, watered ship, and took leave of Madame Ferraz. [Sidenote: Mar. 29.] Came to off Ascension. Found _Fair Rosamond_ and _Raven_. [Sidenote: April 1.] Arrived _Thalia_, with flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Patrick Campbell, who, after receiving our Kroomen, ordered us home. It appeared to me that while cruisers are not allowed by treaties with Spain and Portugal to capture vessels fitted for the slave trade without slaves on board, we did more harm than good. Along the coast negroes are brought from the interior and confined in pens, and, when closely watched by our cruisers, are frequently starved to death. If a slaver is captured with slaves on board, the price rises on the other side of the Atlantic, which is immediately followed by an increase in the number of vessels that come out. Some of these vessels are owned by the sons of wealthy Spaniards, who purchase American clippers, easily fitted as slavers, who come to the coast of Africa as much on pleasure as business. The little Spanish I picked up at Barcelona enabled me to converse freely with these agreeable young roués, who, if they did not carry slaves, easily kept our cruisers employed by drawing their attention from the coast to chase these yacht-like slavers. They found matches in our fifteen cruisers. [Sidenote: May 20.] Arrived at Portsmouth. [Sidenote: May 21.] _Childers_ inspected by Captain Dundas of _Britannia_. [Sidenote: May 26.] Visited by Rear-Admiral Superintendent the Hon. Duncombe Bouverie. Ship paid off. On _Childers_ going into dock, it was discovered that seven feet of her false keel was partly athwart ships, which accounts for the escape of several loaded slavers. I _thought_ she sailed better on one tack than on the other. CHAPTER XXII ENGLAND [Sidenote: 1838. June.] In this book I profess to write my sailor life only. But what I laughed at as a boy I now regret as a man, and the next few pages may be skipped. Now my own master, lodging in Charles Street, Berkeley Square, and attached to the staff of the Duke of Sussex. I renewed my acquaintance with General Sir John Crosbie, who had arrived for the season, in Lower Grosvenor Street, with his handsome family.