The country was open, with patches of jungle three or four acres in extent. Our horses were tethered in the rear in such places as suited the syces. The dinner alone was worth all I had yet seen: every luxury of soups; capons as big as turkeys, curries equal to those at Madras. Drinks of champagne and claret, but nothing appeared in greater demand than Bass’s pale ale. Ices in every form: stories and songs till the small hours, when the elders made a move. I was in a sound sleep, when the yells of jackals close by caused me to jump up and seize my gun. As I got outside, voices called out: “You can’t fire without hitting some one!” The procession to the jungle was quiet and decorous. After the elephants, guided by their mahouts, who were also provided with crackers, had entered the jungle, you could distinctly hear the boar sharpening his tusks. The pig-stickers separated into pairs. Where a hog broke, the nearest took up the running; the second followed close for turn and first spear. The spear at Calcutta was carried perpendicularly, point down. I mention this, as, I believe, in Bombay the spear is carried under the arm. I witnessed this noble sport for a couple of days, without being able to join in it. [Sidenote: Mar. 11.] We were towed down the Hooghly by the _Enterprise_ steamer. [Sidenote: April 3.] Anchored off Malacca. [Sidenote: Singapore, April 4.] Came to in Singapore Roads. It was curious to find almost every European down with influenza, and that within three degrees of the equator! [Sidenote: April 6.] Our ships suffered, and several officers and men were invalided. (In connection with this epidemic, it is of interest to note that the disease was as universal as it has been in the latter part of this century. 1833 was the great year of influenza in Europe, and although communication was slow and infrequent, yet the disease travelled with the same rapid defiance of distance as it does now--an argument in favour of this mysterious malady being disseminated by atmospheric influences.) [Sidenote: April 23.] Put to sea without delay, taking with us _Alligator_, _Wolf_, and _Harrier_. [Sidenote: May 7.] We proceeded by Anjer Roads to Trincomalee, thence to Madras, where we arrived the end of the month. [Sidenote: May 23.] At sunset we were again running for Trincomalee under all sail. The wind strong enough to enable us to stem a two-knot current. At 10 P.M., just as the Captain came on deck, the breeze freshened and veered to the starboard quarter. He turned the hands up, “Bring ship to an anchor.” At 11 P.M. we shortened sail and came to. We were considered smart at all sail work, Hutton managing, while yards were square, the starboard, and I the port, side. [Sidenote: Trincomalee.] On the present occasion, the boatswain neglected to see the port fore-tack properly overhauled. The consequence was that the clew on Hutton’s side reached the quarter of the yard a few seconds before that on my side!