_Columbine_, following close, let go her anchor close on our starboard quarter, without finding bottom, and so drifted out to sea and deep water for the night, with bower cable out to the clinch to heave in. [Sidenote: Nov. 7.] Weighed at daylight and joined the _Columbine_, who had been all night recovering her anchor. [Sidenote: Nov. 8.] Came to in Vourla Bay, with a few days’ comparative rest. [Sidenote: Nov. 10.] Weighed in company with _Caledonia_, _Medea_, and _Columbine_, to try rate of sailing. [Sidenote: Nov. 27.] Returned to Vourla Bay, and came to in 8 fathoms. Arrived _Malabar_, 74, Captain Sir William Montague. It being necessary for me to write to the Admiral, found I could not avail myself of the services of the clerk, he having both his eyes stopped up by a promising young master’s assistant, one William King Hall, called by his messmates Jacko. Accidents will happen in the best regulated families. About this time some of the ships were short of the junior class of officers. The _Talavera_ had no midshipmen. I explained this little accident of my clerk’s eyes to Captain Chetham, and with the consent of the kind chief, my friend Jacko was transferred to the _Talavera_ with the superior rank of midshipman. From that position he raised himself to the highest rank. We were friends until his untimely end, and he has left two sons in the service who do credit to a parent, and a pretty, now married, daughter. After joining flag, we had a week’s quiet in Vourla Bay, which gave me an opportunity of improving my acquaintance with the Captains of the fleet, to say nothing of shooting. Plenty of hares and woodcock were to be found. [Sidenote: Nov. 29.] Sailed from Vourla Bay, charged with despatches. [Sidenote: Dec. 8.] Arrived at Malta Harbour. We were not long there, being sent with stores and provisions for the _Favourite_. After men’s dinner slipped from buoy, and the following afternoon came to in Tripoli Roads. In addition to _Favourite_, found French, Turkish, and Neapolitan ships of war. At sunset I had to follow the motions of my senior officer, and struck lower yards and topmasts. [Sidenote: Dec. 8.] Next morning found civil affairs on shore not quite right. The late Pasha “Youssuf” Corromanli, who had obtained possession of the Government by murdering his elder brother, and now, to save his own head, abdicated in favour of his son Ali, as great a scoundrel as himself, the rightful and legitimate heir being a son of an older brother of Ali’s (since dead). The majority of the people had chosen a fine fellow--one Emhammud--to be their Sovereign. While Ali held possession of the town, Emhammud had the country round, and the forts that flanked the roads.