In Cape Town was Doctor Livingstone waiting for an opportunity to get to the Zambesi. Informed him of one in the _Pioneer_; and, like the sinewy-looking man that he was, he walked the whole way to Simon’s Bay. CHAPTER LXXVIII THE CAPE COMMAND [Sidenote: 1861. Simon’s Bay, Jan. 1.] Succeeded in getting _Sidon_ under weigh, with _Pioneer_ in tow, at 9 A.M. [Sidenote: Jan. 2.] 6 A.M.--Slipped moorings and steamed out of Simon’s Bay. Rounded Cape Point. 9.--Made sail, passing between the Bellows Rock and the Main. Up screw. [Sidenote: Flag in _Forte_, Jan. 13.] It was my intention to have visited Ichaboa on way to Ascension, but the wind falling light for several successive days, and having appointed the Commodore of the West Coast to meet me at Ascension the middle of January, did not delay. Attention to the vast deposit of guano on Ichaboa appears to have been drawn by Captain Andrew Livingston in 1843; the first cargo was taken off by the _Ann_ in that year. Although the island is little more than a mile in circumference, from April 1843 to February 1845 upwards of 200,000 tons of guano had been removed. In the month of January 1845, 450 vessels were present, and as many as 6000 seamen and labourers at work. The constant presence of a man-of-war was necessary. The island appears to have been clean swept of guano, and the birds, seals, etc., driven away by February 1845. Since that, a few enterprising individuals have, by keeping guard there, prevented the birds from being disturbed, so that they resort there annually, and guano to the value of £30,000 is taken off and sent to the Mauritius market. This increase has excited the cupidity of other parties at Cape Town, who choose to consider it as an unfair monopoly on the part of those who have, at considerable expense, watched over, and, as they term it, cultivated the guano. While one party is prepared to defend their preserve, others are preparing to help themselves, and use force. It was to prevent bloodshed that I thought of going. The island, however, belongs to no one. [Sidenote: Jan. 17.] Daylight made the Island of Ascension. Came to at 8.30 in 10 fathoms. Found _Arrogant_, 47, Commodore Edmonstone, and _Mæander_, whose figurehead I have. No exchange of salutes, on account of its being the turtle season, which continues from November until June. [Sidenote: Jan. 19.] Inspected _Arrogant_. Clean and smart. Good at quarters, as well as at manning and arming boats. Fairish crew, but spoilt in appearance by cloth caps, now prevalent in the service. [Sidenote: Jan. 21.]