I sent my coxswain to have the bar removed, and then pulled out to the _Wolverine_. I found my young friend full of zeal. He had stores for our Spanish Squadron off Tarragona; but as H.M.S. _Childers_ required bread, and it might come on to blow and get wet, I gave _Wolverine_ an order to supply, and bring his ship into the basin. And as the wind was fair, to weigh, make sail, and I would pilot him in. We were in the forecastle together, and had rounded the angle, having got into the straight, but narrow channel, when I heard Howard call, “Hands shorten sail!” In a moment I saw the mast had not been removed, but I called out, “Keep all fast!” and told Howard if _Wolverine_ could not jump, she must go through it. As luck would have it, the mast had begun to move, and a kedge anchor was dropped in the mud of the basin. Where _I_ was to blame, was in not allowing for the natural dilatoriness of our friends and allies, the Spaniards. Of course, so large a vessel as _Childers_ could not be victualled in a day, and the Alhambra _had_ to be seen. [Sidenote: Feb. 9.] Weighed, ran out of basin and harbour. Joined _Tyne_ and _Orestes_. [Sidenote: Feb. 15.] Came to off Barcelona. Found _Rodney_. Inside mole, _Harlequin_, _Nautilis_, and _Wolverine_. To my regret, Seymour was ordered to rejoin _Rodney_. Worked into Malta Harbour, secured to buoy, dockyard creek. Found _Caledonia_, 120, _Asia_, 84, _Vanguard_, 80, _Bellerophon_, 80, _Revenge_, 78, _Barham_, 50, _Tyne_, 28, _Orestes_, and “Behind” cutter. Refitted; got in a new foremast. [Sidenote: March.] On board _Barham_ was my old friend, Fred Hutton, as First Lieutenant. He was early on board _Childers_ to greet me, bringing with him a fully-signed document to prove that he had not sung “John’s ale was new” from the time I left the _Magicienne_, until paid off; by which I lost my fiver. He entertained a party at dinner on shore, myself included, that must have cost him four times the amount. Remained in Malta till March 8, enjoying the opera, races, dancing, and all the amusements of the winter season. [Sidenote: Mar. 8 to June 26.] During this period we were continually on the move, having made fifteen anchorings. It would be weary to recall them individually. [Sidenote: July 8.] Secured inside the Mole, Gibraltar. Lowered colours half-mast, news having arrived of the death of our Sailor King, William IV. [Sidenote: Aug. 1.] Arrived at Barcelona. [Sidenote: Aug. 3.] Spanish authorities having received information of the arrival of a Carlist force at Villa Nueva, they requested me, through our Consul, to proceed there. On arrival in the morning the enemy had disappeared. [Sidenote: Aug. 5.]