CHAPTER LXVII

VISIT SARAWAK

[Sidenote: 1857. June 5.]

Master and self tried by court-martial on board the _Sybille_ for the loss of the _Raleigh_.

[Sidenote: June 12.]

The hull of my poor _Raleigh_ advertised for sale, to take place on Monday 29th. Who would have believed it! Commander-in-Chief appointing us by commission, dated yesterday, to the _Alligator_.

[Sidenote: Canton River, June 14.]

_Sunday._--My birthday. Enter my forty-ninth year--a day on which one no longer cares to be congratulated. Went up in _Hong-Kong_ as far as Second Bar, where _Tribune_ and _Highflyer_ are.

[Sidenote: June 15.]

Proceeded to Macao Fort; found they had made a prize of a mandarin junk laden with tea.

[Sidenote: June 16.]

Returned as far as Second Bar and met Sampson. No permission from Chief to ascend Anninghoy Creek.

[Sidenote: June 18.]

Made preparations for capture of the Chucupee Fort. The Celestials, however, mizzled on our approach. Took possession and left Edgell with _Tribune_ in charge.

[Sidenote: June 20.]

Anniversary of Her Majesty’s Accession. Dressed ships. At noon fired Royal salutes the whole length of the Canton River.

[Sidenote: June 30.]

Shifted berth to below Second Bar, taking old _Alligator_ up. Dined with Sir Robert M‘Clure of North-West Passage celebrity in _Esk_.

[Sidenote: July 20.]

Friend “Thomas,” Prince Victor, and self took departure for Dent’s comfortable quarters at Macao, on board the _Firmee_. Found poor Cleverly still confined to bed. Met a clerk of Dent’s House, who wears a moustache, and looks a muff.

[Sidenote: July 21.]

Macao better climate than Hong-Kong. Thomas, Prince Victor, and I dined at Endicott’s.

[Sidenote: July 26.]

Heard of the untimely death of poor young Foster, which took place on board the _Fury_ off Macao Fort. By _Firmee_ to Hong-Kong and Dent’s bungalow. Visit from St. George Foley.

[Sidenote: July 30.]

Returned by _Firmee_ to Macao, meeting Admiral there in _Coromandel_, who informed me of the little chance I had of becoming second in command, as far as Sir Charles Wood was concerned.

[Sidenote: Aug. 20.]

Mail in from England. Ascertained from Commander-in-Chief that Sir Charles Wood at Admiralty disapproved of my broad pennant being hoisted after loss of _Raleigh_. Decided on going home.

[Sidenote: Aug. 23.]

The worthy Judge Hulme gave me a farewell dinner. Parting dinner at Dent’s. William Dent over from Macao.

[Sidenote: Hong-kong, Aug. 25.]

Took leave of my good friends the Dents. Also the kind Admiral. Embarked on board _Formosa_, P. and O. steamer, for passage to England, with option of landing and coming on when and how I like. Flagship manning rigging and cheering on passing. My _Raleigh’s_ officers on board, with others, to wish me good-bye!!!

* * * * *

[Sidenote: P. and O. _Formosa_, Aug. 26.]

Once more on the wide and open sea, but in the novel position of passenger. Dr. and Mrs. Parker and my worthy friend and old shipmate Crawford of the party.

[Sidenote: Sept. 4.]

10 A.M.--Arrived in New Harbour, Singapore. Kindly taken in by Blundell at Government House. Read Clarence Paget’s friendly explanation of my recall in the House of Commons.

[Sidenote: Singapore, Sept. 5.]

Found Charlie Grant, wife and child, going to Sarawak.

[Sidenote: Sept. 6.]

Dined with the Blundells--their daughters, Jane and Anne, particularly nice girls.

[Sidenote: Sept. 7.]

_Emperor_ steam yacht in the Roads requiring a foremast--time for her to take me to Sarawak and return while mast getting ready. Pleasant and convenient arrangement. News from India; slight improvement, but Delhi still untaken.

[Sidenote: Sept. 8.]

Captain Sidney Grenfell, senior officer in Malacca Straits, cancelled the orders already given. The Emperor of Japan’s yacht is not to go with me to Borneo! There is a difference between being _in_ and _out_ of office.

[Sidenote: Sept. 9.]

Dined with Colonel Liardet at the mess of 21st N.I.

[Sidenote: Sept. 10.]

Lord Elgin arrived from Calcutta in _Ava_, P. and O. Co’s steamer. Breakfasted with Harvey, meeting Greenshields and Paterson, with their wives.

[Sidenote: Sept. 11.]

Many good fellows in Lord Elgin’s staff, George Fitzroy one of them. Dined at home (Government House) to meet Lord Elgin.

[Sidenote: Sept. 12.]

Mail in from England. Turnour and Prince Victor promoted. I senior captain on the list. Many letters of congratulation on Fatshan Creek. Met Lord Elgin and party at dinner.

[Sidenote: Sept. 13.]

Embarked on board Emperor of Japan’s yacht.

[Sidenote: Sept. 15.]

Rounded Taujong Datu. In evening anchored off Taujong Poe.

[Illustration: _A Malay Kampong._]

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