I had bespoke the steam-launch to take luggage and selves on board the P. and O. steamer, but one and all appeared determined to do me honour to the last. Although my uniforms had long since been packed, I was to embark from the Government wharf under a salute and with a guard of honour. At 8 A.M. the royal standard was hoisted on board the _Galatea_, and a general royal salute, with ships dressed, took place. I passed the guard, with Colin clinging to my hand. At the pier we found all the Government officials in full costume to bid farewell to the little old Admiral, rigged out in his Norfolk shirt and “Rodney” hat, and instead of his galley there were the _Galatea’s_ barge and cutter--the former manned by His Royal Highness and ward-room officers, and steered by the Commodore, to take me off; while the latter was manned by the gun-room officers to take the wife and children. Colin, however, refusing to quit his hold of me, partook of the honour of being so conveyed. Never was such a demonstration, such a triumph, for an Admiral degraded! On board, too, I met all my old friends. There was the kind-hearted Governor, Sir Richard MacDonnell, with a photograph for my wife of the house in which, not a year ago, Colin was so near his end; Overbeck and old Fischer’s son; honest old Henry Kellett, my successor; the hospitable Commodore, and the Prince, in rowing costume, with his crew, fourteen in number. His Royal Highness came into my cabin on deck, and there, in the quietest way, presented me with a gold watch as a souvenir, which he said would do afterwards for Colin, who seized the case containing the watch and insisted that it had been given to him! I, however, have never been without it. On shoving off, the Prince and his crew gave three more parting cheers. The _Salsette_ screwed ahead to the eastward, and having gained room turned round, passing again through the ships, when the cheering was repeated: foreigners, as well as our own men-of-war; even the invalids from the hospital-ships caught the kind infection. This old party then retired, feeling very grateful and his heart full. CHAPTER CV LAST VISIT TO THE STRAITS [Sidenote: 1869. Singapore, Nov. 7.] It was no small pleasure to be allowed another visit, although a farewell one, to the Straits Settlements. Just after sunset, as the P. and O. _Salsette_ entered New Harbour, a larger ship than usual, loomed through the mist--the _Rodney_ on her way home. In less than half an hour I was at dinner with Algie Heneage. They had, as might have been expected, a long and tedious passage down, but adhered to the sapient instructions issued by the Admiralty, not to use steam unless in case of danger. The extra time and pay of the crew would be more than expense of fuel.