The officer was quickly informed what had happened. The frigate was the _Virginie_, carrying the flag of Rear-Admiral Guérin, who came himself to see how he could help us. His officer met him at the gangway and without delay explained what had happened. The gallant Guérin no longer thought of nationalities. He embraced and kissed me, exclaiming, “C’est magnifique! C’est magnifique!” A British frigate saluting the French flag while sinking! If we had been French we could not have received more kind assistance. In the meantime marines with their officers were landed to clear the island of Chinese, and select a suitable place for our encampment. When the ship stopped in the mud at 3 P.M., she had ten feet of water in the hold. By eight o’clock she had eighteen. With the assistance of our allies, the ship’s company’s hammocks and bags, goods and chattels, as well as ship’s sails, had been landed. On the way out we had built a bridge across before the mizen-mast, and over the wheel. On this I remained, the kind Frenchmen sending me food and some uncommon good claret. The French Admiral had despatched the _Catinat_ with Lieutenant Goodenough to Hong-Kong. [Sidenote: April 15.] _Bittern_, Lieutenant Butler, arrived. [Sidenote: April 16.] The Admiral, Sir Michael Seymour, who had been absent, came himself. The ship settled down in her soft bed as if she intended never to rise again. [Sidenote: April 17.] Captain Keith Stewart, _Nankin_, 50, and _Inflexible_ arrived; we really did not require them. * * * * * The Commander-in-Chief was now busy preparing for the destruction of the China Fleet, which, being up rivers and creeks, our men were more useful in boats than on board ship. [Sidenote: April 20.] My broad pennant was hoisted on board the _Alligator_, hospital ship. With the _Raleigh’s_ crew alone we dismantled and cleared the ship even to the ballast. It was something to get lower masts out, and with the assistance of our spars only. The bowsprit was the most difficult. Clearing the holds was disagreeable. After a while the bilge water began to smell. My two pipes of Madeira, fortunately double-cased, were not affected. After the ship’s stores we looked out for ourselves. Chronometers, etc., were removed to my cabin, under sentry’s charge--from there, with a trustworthy crew of five men and a coxswain, to the _Alligator_. Later, my steward, no more trusty man in the ship except my coxswain, Spurrier, came to me with sad face to state that Lord Gilford’s pet chronometer watch, which was kept and used with those of the Government, was missing! Search was made in vain, poor White offering £10 reward. [Sidenote: Macao.]