Dundas taking care of Grey; I to my old quarters with Dent. Pleasant to be in a comfortable English-furnished house after six months in the Yang-tse-Kiang. Noticed a live Bird of Paradise in a cage eating large grasshoppers, breaking off their long prickly legs first. [Sidenote: Macao, Dec. 2.] Visited the tomb of my late much-respected Chief, Lord John Churchill, who died here June 3, 1840, while in command of _Druid_, during the early part of the war with China. [Sidenote: Dec. 4.] After breakfast at Dent’s, Grey in a hurry returned to Hong Kong, arriving there by sunset. [Sidenote: Dec. 5.] Visited Rear-Admiral; reported _Dido_ ready for sea. Dined again on board _Belleisle_ with old 98th friends. [Sidenote: Dec. 6.] Sir Thomas Cochrane inspected _Dido_; manned yards, mustered. He inspected every part of her--at quarters, firing at a mark, doing good practice; he ordered us under way, making all sail, on and off the wind, etc. Came to, re-manned yards, inspection over. Dined with Sir Thomas; great spread. [Sidenote: Dec. 7.] Weighed at daylight, with several 98th good fellows on board; ran over to Macao. Saluted Governor with 17 guns. Good dinner at Dent’s. [Sidenote: Dec. 8.] Left my _Dido_ for her to return to Hong Kong with officers of 98th. In _Proserpine_ steamer with Sir Hugh Gough for Canton. Heard of riots and burning of factories; orders for _Dido_ to come up; arrived off Canton late at night. [Sidenote: Dec. 9.] Landed early; found British factories burned down; dead Lascars lying about; encampment of Chinese soldiers round remaining residences; populace in a state of excitement. Put up at Mr. Beale’s; loaded firearms and prepared for defence. [Sidenote: Dec. 10.] Continued excitement. Visited Chinese encampment; pretty and curious. [Sidenote: Dec. 11.] Attended American Presbyterian Divine service, performed by Dr. Parker. He prayed; we listened. Service not like ours. Obliged to detain steamer by way of protection. [Sidenote: Dec. 12.] Returned to Hong Kong. [Sidenote: Dec. 20.] Weighed with _Endymion_ in charge of convoy of transports. _Wolverine_ and East India Company’s steamer _Queen_ in company. _Endymion_ leading convoy. We remained to see the last two transports out, which took us until after sunset. [Sidenote: Dec. 24.] When outside saw nothing of _Endymion_ or fleet. Nice breeze. My transports, fast sailers, took inner and shorter passage. _Dido_ under three topsails and jib. [Sidenote: Dec. 26.] Think we are ahead of the fleet. [Sidenote: Dec. 30.] At 4 A.M., with my part of convoys, came to in Singapore Roads. [Sidenote: Dec. 31.] _Endymion_ arrived with convoy, not well pleased at finding _Dido_ in first. CHAPTER XXVII _DIDO_--STRAITS OF MALACCA [Sidenote: 1843. Jan. 5.]