I detained the assistant-surgeon and sent the heavy boats up for water. Five of the cutter’s crew were missing, and as the current naturally set to the southward, the doctor accompanied me along the beach in search of the missing bodies. [Sidenote: March 26, 27.] By noon I had received a sunstroke, and was down in an empty hut near the beach. The raised surf prevented our being visible from the ship, but fruit and fresh water were obtained; and by sunset I recovered. In the morning I was able to join boats as they returned on board. [Sidenote: Mar. 28.] Sailed. [Sidenote: April 9.] Arrived at Havana. I found the miscalculation of leave at Tampico prevented my being able to select cigars, but kind shipmates got me the best for friends at home. [Sidenote: April 11.] Sailed for England. [Sidenote: May 6.] Arrived at Spithead. Found some amusement in smuggling my good tobacco on shore, and still more in delivering it to old friends, some of which contraband found its way to Kensington Palace! [Sidenote: May 16.] Once at home, I did not find much difficulty in being placed on half-pay. However I soon heard of a ship fitting out at Woolwich that I much fancied: a razéed frigate, the _Magicienne_. CHAPTER VIII THE _MAGICIENNE_ [Sidenote: 1831. July.] The Channel Squadron was not a station for a poor man. Stephenson managed my removal through his friend Rear-Admiral the Hon. George Dundas, still at the Admiralty. I had frequently noticed this gallant Admiral on horseback, dressed in a blue coat with brass buttons, yellow leather breeches and mahogany top-boots, wending his way to office. Sir James Graham had the Admiralty and Sir Thomas Hardy was First Sea Lord. These distinguished men I came to know better afterwards. I had no misunderstanding with Captain Napier, and was sorry to part with his daughter Fanny, as well as a charming family Mrs. Napier had by a former marriage, who likewise took the name of Napier. _Magicienne_, 24, was commissioned by Captain J. H. Plumridge, who had the credit of being a taut hand. She had been a frigate of 42 guns, was razéed without reduction of spars, thereby adding ten feet more drop to her courses and a longer run to her fore and main clew garnets. We were three Lieutenants--Thomas Owen Knox, Fred Hutton, and self. First Lieutenant keeping no night-watch, Tyndal, a mate, was my relief. [Sidenote: August.] Being near the headquarters of our East India Company’s marine, we had difficulty in getting seamen. Two petty officers and a supply of Union Jacks were sent with me on a sort of roving commission. With expenses paid, I rather liked this service, and started for Portsmouth, where I exhibited one of the flags at the Bedford in Chase, on the Hard, Portsea. Later another was planted at Plymouth.