Another this evening in Corporal Chalmers, also a steady, good man. Have my fears for those poor fellows left at Labuan. [Sidenote: Oct. 31.] At daylight arrived at Singapore. My wife had previously arrived from England, and was kindly received by the Governor and Mrs. Butterworth. [Sidenote: Nov. 2.] Admiral hoisted flag on board. I took Whampoa’s house in the country. [Sidenote: Nov. 11.] _Hastings_, 72--Captain, Francis Austen; Commander, Edward Rice--arrived in the night. Shifted flag to her and saluted. Glad she has arrived. She had been towed up by _Fury_, 6, from Java Head. [Sidenote: Nov. 16.] _Auckland_, arriving from Labuan with _Royalist_ in tow: decided that _Mæander_ takes part of 21st Regiment on board for Labuan station. [Sidenote: Nov. 17.] Inquiry, with Captain Morgan, on board _Royalist_, as to steps taken by Gordon when she was dismasted. Approval of steps taken. [Sidenote: Nov. 22.] Company of Sepoy troops embarked on board _Mæander_. Weighed immediately. [Illustration: Mæander _passing astern of_ Hastings.] [Sidenote: Nov. 24.] Lucky in our breeze. Fell in with and passed close under the stern of the _Hastings_ in tow of _Fury_, she having left thirty hours before us. She would have done better under canvas. [Sidenote: Nov. 28.] Arrived at Labuan. We found nearly the whole colony down with fever. More marines had died; many seriously ill, and of the survivors the poor Governor in the worst condition. He had been delirious, and lay apparently with but little hope of recovery. Doctor Treacher, his medical attendant, was nearly as bad. I saw that some steps should be immediately taken, and, making my way to the sick bedside, I begged Sir James to prepare for removal, giving him choice of _Auckland_ or _Mæander_. Brooke selected the latter. [Sidenote: Nov. 29.] Feeling better in the morning, he undertook to sign a few papers, but fainted twice during the day. When I called just before sunset with the barge’s crew to convey him on board, he was so exhausted that our surgeon declared it would be dangerous to move him. With great reluctance on my part, he was left to imbibe for another night the fœtid air of Labuan. [Sidenote: Dec. 1.] Poor Hannan, our Chaplain, showing strong symptoms of delirium; imagines the Queen to be coming to Labuan to put things to rights. [Sidenote: Dec. 2.] Found Brooke not improving. I decided on saving his life if possible. [Sidenote: Dec. 3.] In spite of remonstrances of the faculty, as well as those of some of his staff, my gig’s crew gently shouldered the cot on which he lay, and so conveyed His Excellency to the barge. The sea was smooth; those on board were prepared: he was hoisted up; once in my cabin no one could approach him except through me, and I was proud and hopeful of my charge. CHAPTER XXXIX _MÆANDER_--CRUISING [Sidenote: 1848. Labuan, Dec. 3.]