[Sidenote: Aug. 26.] 4 P.M.--Sailed from Zanzibar, giving the good Sultan a parting salute. [Sidenote: Sept. 2.] Took pilot. Stood into Port Mahé, all dangers, rocks and shoals being visible under a bright sun. Anchored in 10 fathoms. All large timber had long been cut down--underwood, the sweetest cedar. [Sidenote: Sept. 16.] Communicated with our prize, the _Manuela_, at anchor off Flat Island. Came to off the Bell Buoy, Mauritius. I was last here in the _Tweed_ in April 1829. [Sidenote: Sept. 21.] Prize arrived from Flat Island. [Sidenote: Sept. 25.] _Brisk_ having got on shore off the east coast in February sustained some damage, which rendered her docking necessary. Copper rubbed off; planking damaged. [Sidenote: Oct. 7.] 6 A.M.--Weighed and proceeded under steam round the north end of the Island. 3 P.M.--Came to in 6 fathoms in Mahébourg Harbour. [Sidenote: Oct. 19.] Slipped from mooring and steamed out of Port Louis. Came to in Mahébourg Harbour 1.50 P.M. [Sidenote: Oct. 22.] Governor visited the ship. Manned yards and saluted. [Sidenote: Oct. 27.] His Excellency kindly took me a two days’ trip round the island by land. [Sidenote: Oct. 29.] _Wasp_, 13, Commander C. Stirling, arrived. Shifted flag to her; sent _Brisk_ to relieve _Forte_, ordered here. [Sidenote: Nov. 8.] _Forte_ arrived. CHAPTER LXXVII _FORTE_ FLAG RE-HOISTED [Sidenote: 1860. Nov. 9.] Re-hoisted flag in _Forte_. Fired Royal Salute at noon, in honour of Prince of Wales’s birthday. [Sidenote: Mauritius, Nov. 14.] _Persian_, 12, arrived from Seychelles, and saluted flag. Commander Hardinge, having sustained a severe but accidental wound in the foot, was unfortunately rendered unfit for duty. [Sidenote: Nov. 15.] French war steamer _La Somme_ arrived from Réunion, bearing the broad pennant of the Commodore, with whom we exchanged salutes. In afternoon proceeded to Tombeaux Bay. Came to off Monsieur de Courson’s sugar mills. [Sidenote: Tombeaux Bay, Nov. 17.] Joined by _Persian_, 12, sloop. Made arrangements for sham fight to come off on the 20th. _Wasp_, in dock, was found to have sustained considerable damage while on shore off Slave Krop Point. [Sidenote: Nov. 20.] Soon after daylight observed the troops, consisting of 5th and part of 24th Regiments, with artillery, marching down and crossing pontoon bridge at head of bay. These were followed by a strong party of police. From that time until afternoon there was one continuous string of natives and people of all sorts arriving from Port Louis and country round, taking up positions to see the fight, for which nothing could be better adapted than the high land about the head of Tombeaux Bay. At noon visitors arrived on board. After luncheon we commenced landing them on a commanding point out of range, but from which I could command by signal, assisted by a very pretty French lady.