In addition to Ranelagh, I had young O’Shee, son of a Madrid banker, of whom, probably, the Carlists had borrowed money. I landed them at Gibraltar, out of range of Mina’s shot, on 10th instant, and was sorry to part with two such cheery companions. [Sidenote: July 5.] Came to off Tarragona. [Sidenote: July 12.] Embarked 200 Christina soldiers. They lay sleeping about the decks, embracing their muskets. Landed them the following day off the mouth of the Ebro. [Sidenote: Dec. 27.] Arrived at Barcelona from Malaga; heard that General Mina, who had been ill for some months, died on Christmas Day. The funeral, with full military honours, took place two days later, attended by all naval officers present in Barcelona, _Childers_ firing minute-guns during the ceremony. _Rodney_ lying in the roadstead; _Orestes_ and _Harlequin_ arrived in time to join in the ceremony, and were secured inside the mole; while _Childers_ took up her berth inside inner mole. [Sidenote: Dec.] We could only use one side, but the saluting, although we fired each once in nine minutes, made the guns so hot that care was necessary. CHAPTER XVII THE _CHILDERS_ BRIG [Sidenote: 1837. Jan. 2.] It was with great pleasure I learned from Captain Parker that he had appointed my young friend, George H. Seymour, midshipman, son of the much-respected Admiral Sir George Seymour, K.C.B., as “lent” to _Childers_, but unfortunately, as it proved, for a very short time. [Sidenote: Jan. 4.] Sailed. Arrived at Carthagena, 16th--a huge basin which might have held a dozen ships of the line, surrounded by storehouses. Heavy brass rings were secured deep in the masonry, and great guns made posts to secure to. This was a grand old naval arsenal, which had probably not been used since Trafalgar. The pilot who brought us in, recommended our not using any anchor heavier than our own kedge, on account of the depth of mud which had accumulated for many years. The dock-gates had long since decayed, and were replaced by the mast of some line-of-battle ship, one end hauled aside to admit us. We prepared for a thorough outfit, took possession of two large storehouses, and made ourselves comfortable. Wild-fowl and snipe were to be found in remote parts of this unfrequented arsenal. [Sidenote: Jan. 16.] One of my gig’s crew, by name Lathom, was a born artist; by assistance of chalk and burnt stick drew some interesting and spirited sea-pieces: always entertaining likenesses of the _Childers_. [Sidenote: Jan. 27.] The _Wolverine_ was reported as anchored in the harbour, out of sight of the entrance to the basin, her Commander the Hon. Edward Howard. What a chance for me! The first time since my commissioning _Childers_ I had fallen in with a junior. The channel to the dockyard was formed by high land on larboard side, and the shoaler water of the harbour on the other. A projecting angle of the land prevented your seeing the entrance to the basin until round it; then a straight run in.