During my afternoon watch a young officer from the American ship came on board. He was anxious to speak to our senior midshipman. I sent to my old friend, Arthur Noad, and introduced them. The officer stated, “We have received orders from our Congress to amalgamate with you Britishers, and shall be glad to see you all at dinner on board our ship.” The following day those who could be spared attended the invitation. Their midshipmen’s berth, like our own, was on the lower deck, thrown open for air by the upper part of the bulkhead being on hinges. The dinner was good, and a nice feeling and understanding existed. After dinner the Chairman filled his glass, and proposed “King and President,” which was drunk with enthusiasm by all, save one ultra-sensitive American, who, holding up his glass, said, “Here’s to the President. The King I shall place in the steerage,” chucking at the same moment the remainder of his wine. The rest of the party broke up in mutual good humour. Two days afterwards our mids gave a return dinner, and invited the gentlemen of the corvette; begging, however, to except the one who had flung the King in the steerage. I happened, as before, to be officer of the watch when the excluded mid came on board and requested an interview with our senior midshipman. I sent for Noad. The American informed him that he considered he had been grossly insulted, and demanded satisfaction from one and all the British midshipmen. I informed the Captain what had happened, who ordered his gig to be manned, and, directing me to detain the officer, went on board the _Natchetts_. He returned shortly followed by her Captain, who asked permission to bring an armed boat alongside, in which had been placed the chest and other effects of the contumacious officer. We found afterwards that the poor fellow had been landed on the mainland, south of Sacrificios. Considering the character of the Spanish-Mexican on that coast, it would have been kinder to have kept his chest and saved his head. Had our Captain been aware of the poor fellow’s possible fate, intercession would have been made. [Sidenote: Feb. 16.] Came to off Tampico Bar. As we were to be here for some time, I obtained leave for Tennant, one of our mates, to accompany me on an excursion up the river. We hired a roomy canoe. Our crew consisted of one young and active Mexican, his arms, a couple of paddles and a long pole. Our kitchen, a large iron kettle which stood on a flat stone. We had our mattresses and mosquito-curtains. For young sportsmen nothing could be more interesting. The variety of birds in a tropical climate is extraordinary--curlew and cranes, herons and storks, parrots and pigeons, ducks with canvas-backs, sea-gulls, with hawks and eagles to watch over them; porpoises and alligators. The scenery changed with nearly every bend of the river--patches of jungle and inland swamp: at all eligible spots, haciendas.