It was near midnight, sails furled and yards square. The Captain sent for me to inquire why the port clew was not up at the same time as that on starboard side. I told him that neither sheet nor tack had been overhauled. He sent for the boatswain, who stated that he had overhauled both with his own “’and.” The Captain addressed me, drawing my attention to the undoubted fact, on which I expressed an opinion that my word was as good as the boatswain’s. I was ordered to my cabin, under arrest. Everybody appeared to be out of sorts, and, as it would have been my middle watch, I was not sorry to turn in. The ship was soon refitted. [Sidenote: May 29.] Sailed for Madras; arrived 31st. [Sidenote: Madras, June.] On June 4 a mail from England arrived. The first down to my cabin to congratulate me on promotion was the Captain. How the receipt of good news alters people’s feelings! We were “brothers”; half an hour earlier I could have done him an injury. I got a hearty welcome to share generous John Company’s Naval House on the Mount Road. I scarcely knew my own self. My commission as Commander was dated January 30, five months before I heard of it. We had carousals on shore, and I heard after at some dinner-party Hutton had sung his then famous song “John’s ale was new.” On a remark of mine, he bet me £5 that he would not sing it again while the _Magicienne_ was in commission. The ship was ordered to Calcutta, and the Captain had no authority to discharge me. I therefore proposed that, after having seen him off, I should write a despatch, stating that, having been promoted, and finding a homeward-bound free-trader in the roads, I had taken passage to England. [Sidenote: June 10.] _Magicienne_ sailed at daylight for Calcutta. For the first time I was my own master. The Navy agents secured my passage. I passed most of the time with my young kinsman, Henry Garnier, a Cornet in the 4th Light Cavalry, who, in his turn, was much with Colonel Charles Macleane and that charming family, in which was one particularly handsome daughter. A fortnight passed rapidly and pleasantly, riding or tandem-driving. When I came to embark, I found that these kind, experienced friends had sent me two chests, each containing six dozen bottles of pure water, which was far more useful and grateful than the same amount of champagne would have been. These chests the chief officer kindly stowed conveniently for me. [Sidenote: June 26.] We sailed in _Claudine_. There were an agreeable set of passengers. We sat down eighteen to dinner. [Sidenote: Table Bay, Aug. 15.] Arrived in Table Bay. We were startled, on running in, at seeing within half a cable’s length ahead a small flag flying on what appeared to be a rock, but proved to be a dead whale, the flag marking the owner. I had here a week of real enjoyment, visiting with my old friends, besides getting two capital days’ hunting. On both occasions I was awarded a brush. [Sidenote: Aug. 22.] Sailed.