When Lord Cochrane returned to Pernambuco, he found Lima in possession. He then sent an officer on board the _Tweed_ to request that the “rebel” and “traitor” Carvalho might be given up. Three days later the Brazilian fleet and forts fired a royal salute in honour of the victory, in which, in obedience to an order signalled by the Captain of the _Brazen_, we joined. [Sidenote: Sept. 21.] Carvalho embarked on board the _Brazen_, and, much to our disgust, under a salute. I had to part with my two little playfellows, who, with Mrs. Hunn, also went home in her. Directly the _Brazen_ loosed sails, the Brazilian fleet did likewise, and, seeing this, our Captain interpreted it (or pretended to) as a device on the part of Lord Cochrane to take Carvalho out of the _Brazen_ by force, and we also prepared to weigh and clear for action. However, it all ended without smoke. [Sidenote: Sept. 22.] We sailed on September 22, not sorry to get away. We had been six weeks rolling--at times, our main-deck ports in the water; holding no communication with the shore, and, with the exception of the fighting in which, as we would take no part, there was little to excite interest. We youngsters amused ourselves, meanwhile, fishing, which we could only venture to do at night, and then out of the mizen-chains, hid by quarter-boats. One day, when I was sitting in the gig astern of the ship, a school of whales came into the bay, like so many frolicsome porpoises; and so near did they come that I found my way to the ship’s deck up the Jacob’s ladder. [Sidenote: Oct. 2.] We left Pernambuco on our return to Rio, where we arrived October 2. This was a jolly place for us mids. There is no nicer harbour for boat excursions, rides, picnics, etc., fun, in which we joined those of other ships. One of our lieutenants, Pat Blake, was a favourite with us. There were lively fellows in the squadron, one of whom, named Hathorn, was lent to us from the flagship. [Sidenote: Oct. 14.] Early in the morning, it being calm, we were towed out of the harbour by boats, on which events those of the foreign men-of-war always assisted. [Sidenote: Oct. 24.] On the 24th we came to in Maldanado Roads, an interesting place. The only thing that struck me as odd was, if you made a purchase which cost less than a dollar, they chopped that coin in pieces to give you change. We sailed the following day, and arrived at Rio de la Plata, a large muddy river, unworthy of the name--porpoises and seal in plenty. I had many rifle shots at the round head of the latter, with their large bright black eyes; but they were too quick for me.