CHAPTER LXXVI

ZANZIBAR

[Sidenote: 1860. Aug. 24.]

Returned to Zanzibar; found _Brisk_ absent in search of a slaver that had landed a man on the island who was made prisoner by the Sultan, and afterwards sent on board with a request that he might be given up to the Spanish Consul.

[Sidenote: Aug. 25.]

_Brisk_ returned with the prisoner, who stated himself to be the doctor; pretended to know nothing about his movements, although he told a different story to the slaver’s friend, the Consul of Imperial France. Fresh water on the island: good, although the streams for watering at inconvenient distances. By proper application through Colonel Rigby, our obliging Consul, natives, or rather slaves, can be sent to bale the water to fill the casks. Fruit and vegetables were given for the ship’s company daily.

Found the Sultan kind and obliging; he had a large stud of arabs, and when he found that I could ride, presented me with a couple, whose pedigrees, drawn up in Arabic, commenced some eighty years ago. I got the good Consul to explain that I had no place to put them in. A few days after His Highness presented me with a handsome gold-mounted sabre, with which I was well pleased. On my exhibiting it to my Secretary he admired it as much as I did, but on referring to the station order-book, on no account was an officer permitted to receive a present or presents from any foreign authority.

Here was a nice mess! I went to Colonel Rigby to ask him to return the sword and apologise. He said such a thing was impossible; it would not be understood: in fact, almost made me to understand that it would be a _casus belli_! I had the sword wrapped in cotton and stated the case to the Board of Admiralty. 1860.

[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.

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