Captain Napier had given him permission to say that if I would make a proper apology to the First Lieutenant I should be allowed to return to my duty. [Sidenote: Jan. 12.] Next morning I was sent for to the Captain’s cabin, where I found Collier. My previous good conduct enabled the Captain to state that, if I would only express my regret, I might return to my duty. I thanked the Captain, said I had already written a letter applying for a court-martial, and that the apology must be made to me. [Sidenote: Jamaica] Next day, before arrival at Port Royal, I was ordered to return to duty. Three years later, at the Old Navy Club in Bond Street, when I was a Commander, we dined together, and I told him the whole story. Of course, he was going to try me by court-martial then and there! While on this station I had the opportunity of making acquaintance with an interesting people--the Creoles of our West Indies. These kind people seemed to live by and for the Navy. The wars of the eighteenth century threw money into their hands, and during Rodney’s time the ladies gradually lost their dark polish. Commencing as washerwomen, and supplying officers’ messes, they accumulated money. Some of them became the owners of slaves. In Jamaica, years after they had grown into colonists, many emigrated to other islands under our flag rather than mix with the sugar-planting negroes. But it was by their cleanliness, kindness, and attention to sick or wounded that they became so necessary and were the means of saving many lives. It was not only at Barbadoes, but at Port Royal, Jamaica, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia that these ladies used to hold their levees and talk freely of their absent aristocratic relations. Miss Betsy Austin and Miss Nancy Pugett were celebrated during my time. They had much dignity, and kept a large number of servants. On one occasion, when I could not answer for the whereabouts of her aristocratic son-in-law, Miss Nancy Pugett hazarded the opinion that “He had gone Norf shoot ’em grouse!” [Sidenote: Port Royal, Jamaica, Jan. 21.] Refitted in a few days. Received invalids and officers for passage to England. [Sidenote: Jan. 24.] Weighed with convoy, who parted company as convenient to themselves. [Sidenote: Feb. 5.] Anchored off Tampico Bar. Surf too high to admit of landing. Northerly gale. Ship rolling heavily. Topmasts struck. [Sidenote: Feb. 14.] Sailed. [Sidenote: Off Sacrificios, Feb. 16.] Unbent sails. Our boats refitted; lower rigging requiring to be turned in afresh after the stretching off Tampico. Found United States corvette _Natchetts_ here. [Sidenote: Feb. 19.]