Sailed, and arrived at Simon’s Bay on 4th July, 8 P.M. His Excellency was in such a hurry to convey to Admiral Sir Frederick Grey the fact of his arrival, that, unseen, he dropped himself into a shore boat and landed at Admiralty House. [Sidenote: Simon’s Bay, July 5.] Landed, after usual salutes, to pay respects to Admiral Sir F. Grey. I mentioned the Governor’s message to me at Rio, to the effect that if I would not write home what had occurred he would not. I ascertained that in his statement to Sir Frederick he made out that the proposition not to communicate home came, in the first place, from me to him. This untruth accounts for my subsequent treatment. [Sidenote: July 8.] The _Forte_ requiring a thorough refit, shifted flag to my friend Captain Algernon de Horsey’s ship, the _Brisk_, and with our travellers, Speke and Grant, prepared to visit the East Coast. CHAPTER LXXIII CAPE COMMAND--FLAG IN _BRISK_ [Sidenote: 1860. Monday, July 16.] Embarked with Flag-Lieutenant and Secretary. Hoisted flag on board _Brisk_, Captain Algernon de Horsey. Received with yards manned. Embarked Captains Speke and Grant, with his guard of 100 Hottentots, volunteers from the Cape Mounted Rifles; also 12 mules, the Cape Parliament having voted £300 to purchase them for the interesting expedition. Sailed at sunset, leaving _Forte_ with Captain Turnour in charge. Rounded to on signal. [Sidenote: July 21.] 3 P.M.--Came to in 9-1/2 fathoms off the mouth of Buffalo River. The township of East London on the south entrance composed of storehouses and other new and neat-looking buildings. At the end of a substantial stone wharf stands a lighthouse to correspond--not mentioned in the charts; it showed a bright fixed light. The town is communicated with by a surf boat hauled to and fro over the bar by means of a hawser, one end of which is attached to an anchor outside; as uninviting a coast to approach as can be imagined. Should a railway or any good road for the conveyance of the produce of the country be established to Algoa Bay, the Port of East London may prove unworthy of the name it has assumed. At 5 P.M. weighed, proceeded under sail. [Sidenote: July 24.] No observation yesterday, but those of to-day at noon showed that the current for the last 48 hours had been south-west. 97 miles. Proceeded making particular survey of coast. [Sidenote: July 26.] Came to at 4 P.M., in the magnificent Bay of Delagoa, about 7 miles from the entrance of the river. Sent a boat in to communicate: but more to ascertain what might be doing in the slave way. [Sidenote: Shefeen Island, July 27.]