One of the mates told the captain that a vessel full of powder had taken fire in the night, and that Admiral Boxer had been there since two in the morning, working like a negro with the men, and therefore that he could not see him. I believe Lord Ward knew this, but did not speak of it for fear of causing alarm, and this was no doubt the cause of the delay in our departure. The deck was crowded the whole morning with visitors, particularly officials, who wished to pay their respects to Miss Nightingale; but the doctors had given positive orders for her to see no one. Balaklava was in a great state of excitement, on account of the fire on board the powder-ship. Some called it the Gunpowder-plot at Balaklava, and an attempt to destroy the British fleet. This was the opinion in the French camp and at Kamiesch. The fleet, by-the-bye, was at that time at least twenty miles from the supposed scene of explosion. As there were several matters which I wished to settle before my departure, I asked the captain whether I could land for an hour. “Certainly you can. I don’t think we shall sail before three o’clock; but be on board by twelve, if possible, or half past at the latest.” “I shall be sure to return in time.” I called at the Commissariat respecting the preserved vegetables, the samples of which were daily expected; next, upon Mr. Fitzgerald, the purveyor; and then went to the _Abundance_. On my way to the steamer, I met Mr. Bracebridge going to Colonel Dennis; and although I had already had the pleasure of saying good-bye to the colonel and his lady, I went back with him. The colonel, who had been seriously ill for several months, was to sail the next day for England, or Malta (I don’t exactly recollect which), and was saying how much he regretted being obliged to leave his regiment--that he feared the voyage would not do him much good, as the steamer he was going by was so full of sick. He had scarcely spoken the words, when in walked Admiral Boxer. “Well, Dennis, my friend! I bring you good news.” “What’s that, admiral?” said the colonel. “Why, I have another vessel going to-morrow, with very few sick on board, and I have secured a good large cabin for yourself and lady.” “Many, many thanks! my dear admiral,” said Colonel Dennis, in which his lady also joined. “Ah! Monsieur Soyer, are you here? How are you to-day?” “Quite well, admiral. I hope you are the same!” “No; I am very tired.” “Will you take a glass of wine, admiral,” said Colonel Dennis, “and sit down, a minute?” “No, I thank you; my nephew is waiting lunch for me, and I have been up since three o’clock this morning helping to put out the fire on board that ship in the harbour.” “Well, how did you leave it, admiral?” inquired the colonel. “The powder is safe, but the vessel is much damaged.”