The road inside the compound was flat and winding, lit on either side by cocoanut-oil lamps, mounted on poles just level with my eyes, which prevented my seeing obstacles in the way. The syce was seated on the step as usual. All at once I found myself on my head, with the buggy on top of me. Horse and shafts had disappeared. Being not far from the house, I joined the Admiral as he left his carriage. I was supposed to be part of his staff. After dinner, when Sir William inquired how I had come out, I told him, and was kindly given a lift back. [Sidenote: April 13.] Progress not much in tow of small steamer against fresh breeze, to say nothing of the dirt received from ditto. Ten lakhs on board though. [Sidenote: April 14.] Sunday.--In pilot’s hands. When abreast of Diamond Harbour, Admiral came up in a steamer. Went on board to dine, and then took leave. [Sidenote: May 3.] Pulo Penang in sight at daybreak. A squall took us the last eighteen miles in an hour and a half. [Sidenote: May 6.] Niceish breeze. Passed the Sands and several sail. No time to go into Malacca. Plucky Smut unwilling to face a booby bird in single combat. The poor dog got his tail under the truck of a gun-carriage, and made “plenty noise.” [Sidenote: May 9.] Weighed early for Singapore Roads. Anchored. Found French corvette _Sabine_ and an American frigate _St. Louis_. [Sidenote: May 10.] Returned visits. _Tête-à-tête_ dinner with George Hastings. [Sidenote: May 14.] Party on board to dinner--some of them by the head!--Brooke, French Captain, Napier, Elliot, etc. [Sidenote: May 15.] Sailed at daylight. Beat _Harlequin_, she taking Brooke to Sarawak. Again running up the China Sea. [Sidenote: May 22.] Made the Bombay reef at sunset: nasty-looking place on a dark night. [Sidenote: May 23.] 2.30 A.M.--Struck hard on a rock twice, all sail set. No one can tell, but those who try it, the painful, sickening sensation it causes. It was supposed to be a straggler from the Lincoln shoal. No apparent damage. Symptoms of north-east monsoon having just given in. Came up with the _Victoria_ barque, that had started ten days before us from Singapore. [Sidenote: Hong Kong, May 26.] Anchored at 7 A.M. in Hong Kong, happy to find flag absent. Dined with Caine. [Sidenote: May 27.] Preparing my _Dido_ for facing the south-west monsoon. Dinner with Charlie Graham. Punch, and porter cup; venison from Blenheim rotten. Jolly party though. [Sidenote: May 28.] American corvette _St. Louis_ arrived, we having beaten her four days. Dined with Caine to meet Sir Henry Pottinger. [Sidenote: May 31.] Visited old Michael Quin, laid up. [Sidenote: June 1.] _Serpent_ off in a hurry, afraid of detention. Dined with the General (Sir Hugh Gough) to meet French Commodore and officers. Put up at Crawford Kerr’s. [Sidenote: June 15.] A gallop with Synge. Dined with Caine, Sir Henry Pottinger and Rear-Admiral meeting them. Slow, with humbug. [Sidenote: June 17.]