CHAPTER XI
THE _MAGICIENNE_
[Sidenote: 1833. Feb. 11.]
On return from the funeral I was sent in a native boat to Calcutta, with a despatch to the Governor-General. It was slow work against stream, and at night very cold, for which I was unprepared.
[Sidenote: Feb. 12.]
However, I arrived the following morning, and landed at the Shampur ghât. A palanquin conveyed me to Government House. Lord William Cavendish Bentinck was well known; twenty years previously he had been Governor of Madras.
I was not kept long. Instead of finding myself ushered into the presence of a potentate with twenty A.D.C.’s, I found His Excellency in plain clothes: his only companion, a parrot on his finger. He was kindness itself. I had been but little in the London world, but he seemed to know everybody I had seen, or even heard of.
The ship arrived in the afternoon, and anchored off the esplanade. Although many fine Indiamen and larger ships were here, nothing came up to _Magicienne_ in appearance. In due time His Excellency paid an official visit.
[Illustration: Magicienne _at Calcutta_.]
A salute with yards manned is a pretty sight, and our _Magicienne_ was, even for a man-of-war, unusually _taunt_, and on shore attracted a large concourse. The Hooghly was not a bright and limpid stream. Of a morning we often had to clear our hawse of dark bodies, hardly visible from the darker mud.
Quarters were provided for officers in Fort William. The ancient one, in which was the famous Black Hole, was two miles farther up the river.
We were kindly invited by H. E. to Barrackpore. But it was the height of the season, balls, pig-sticking, parties, picnics, and private theatricals going on.
The hunt meet at Dum-Dum (five miles from Calcutta) I could not resist. There was an extensive horse establishment, from which I obtained a horse. I was never without a correct get-up, and, weighing something under nine stone, was frequently offered a mount.
[Sidenote: March.]
My hunter, from Mr. Cook’s establishment, sent on, I drove in a buggy, syce seated on the step. It was a bright and cheery meet. Jackals were hunted instead of foxes, the latter being small, and not so fast.
I was welcomed as an old sportsman. A find and a cheery “gone away,” my horse inclined towards a wood on the right. He jumped a small nullah against my will; the bit broke at the joint. My next recollection was from a bed in Fort William, with my Captain and officers of both services standing round.
I soon recovered senses, but for some days was told to keep quiet. It appears that my mount, after taking me across the nullah, bolted for the wood, and my head striking a bough, brought me to the ground.
The Tent Club had been kind enough to make me an honorary member. After some days’ quiet enjoyment at Barrackpore, I returned to the city. On my promising proper behaviour, I joined a small party. Stopford, a merchant, was one. He was so like the Admiral, and naval relatives of that name, I cottoned to him at once.
On approaching the ground, we came on thirteen or fourteen elephants tethered in regular order, with their attendants. Beyond were marquees, arranged and fitted with every comfort of bed and baths that a sportsman could wish.
A large mess marquee stood out by itself, with passages for cooks and attendants, and piles of ice, (brought to Calcutta by American ships).
The country was open, with patches of jungle three or four acres in extent. Our horses were tethered in the rear in such places as suited the syces.
The dinner alone was worth all I had yet seen: every luxury of soups; capons as big as turkeys, curries equal to those at Madras. Drinks of champagne and claret, but nothing appeared in greater demand than Bass’s pale ale. Ices in every form: stories and songs till the small hours, when the elders made a move.
I was in a sound sleep, when the yells of jackals close by caused me to jump up and seize my gun. As I got outside, voices called out: “You can’t fire without hitting some one!”
The procession to the jungle was quiet and decorous. After the elephants, guided by their mahouts, who were also provided with crackers, had entered the jungle, you could distinctly hear the boar sharpening his tusks.
The pig-stickers separated into pairs. Where a hog broke, the nearest took up the running; the second followed close for turn and first spear.
The spear at Calcutta was carried perpendicularly, point down. I mention this, as, I believe, in Bombay the spear is carried under the arm.
I witnessed this noble sport for a couple of days, without being able to join in it.
[Sidenote: Mar. 11.]
We were towed down the Hooghly by the _Enterprise_ steamer.
[Sidenote: April 3.]
Anchored off Malacca.
[Sidenote: Singapore, April 4.]
Came to in Singapore Roads. It was curious to find almost every European down with influenza, and that within three degrees of the equator!
[Sidenote: April 6.]
Our ships suffered, and several officers and men were invalided. (In connection with this epidemic, it is of interest to note that the disease was as universal as it has been in the latter part of this century. 1833 was the great year of influenza in Europe, and although communication was slow and infrequent, yet the disease travelled with the same rapid defiance of distance as it does now--an argument in favour of this mysterious malady being disseminated by atmospheric influences.)
[Sidenote: April 23.]
Put to sea without delay, taking with us _Alligator_, _Wolf_, and _Harrier_.
[Sidenote: May 7.]
We proceeded by Anjer Roads to Trincomalee, thence to Madras, where we arrived the end of the month.
[Sidenote: May 23.]
At sunset we were again running for Trincomalee under all sail. The wind strong enough to enable us to stem a two-knot current.
At 10 P.M., just as the Captain came on deck, the breeze freshened and veered to the starboard quarter. He turned the hands up, “Bring ship to an anchor.”
At 11 P.M. we shortened sail and came to. We were considered smart at all sail work, Hutton managing, while yards were square, the starboard, and I the port, side.
[Sidenote: Trincomalee.]
On the present occasion, the boatswain neglected to see the port fore-tack properly overhauled. The consequence was that the clew on Hutton’s side reached the quarter of the yard a few seconds before that on my side!
It was near midnight, sails furled and yards square. The Captain sent for me to inquire why the port clew was not up at the same time as that on starboard side. I told him that neither sheet nor tack had been overhauled. He sent for the boatswain, who stated that he had overhauled both with his own “’and.”
The Captain addressed me, drawing my attention to the undoubted fact, on which I expressed an opinion that my word was as good as the boatswain’s. I was ordered to my cabin, under arrest. Everybody appeared to be out of sorts, and, as it would have been my middle watch, I was not sorry to turn in. The ship was soon refitted.
[Sidenote: May 29.]
Sailed for Madras; arrived 31st.
[Sidenote: Madras, June.]
On June 4 a mail from England arrived. The first down to my cabin to congratulate me on promotion was the Captain. How the receipt of good news alters people’s feelings! We were “brothers”; half an hour earlier I could have done him an injury. I got a hearty welcome to share generous John Company’s Naval House on the Mount Road. I scarcely knew my own self.
My commission as Commander was dated January 30, five months before I heard of it. We had carousals on shore, and I heard after at some dinner-party Hutton had sung his then famous song “John’s ale was new.” On a remark of mine, he bet me £5 that he would not sing it again while the _Magicienne_ was in commission.
The ship was ordered to Calcutta, and the Captain had no authority to discharge me. I therefore proposed that, after having seen him off, I should write a despatch, stating that, having been promoted, and finding a homeward-bound free-trader in the roads, I had taken passage to England.
[Sidenote: June 10.]
_Magicienne_ sailed at daylight for Calcutta. For the first time I was my own master.
The Navy agents secured my passage. I passed most of the time with my young kinsman, Henry Garnier, a Cornet in the 4th Light Cavalry, who, in his turn, was much with Colonel Charles Macleane and that charming family, in which was one particularly handsome daughter. A fortnight passed rapidly and pleasantly, riding or tandem-driving.
When I came to embark, I found that these kind, experienced friends had sent me two chests, each containing six dozen bottles of pure water, which was far more useful and grateful than the same amount of champagne would have been. These chests the chief officer kindly stowed conveniently for me.
[Sidenote: June 26.]
We sailed in _Claudine_. There were an agreeable set of passengers. We sat down eighteen to dinner.
[Sidenote: Table Bay, Aug. 15.]
Arrived in Table Bay. We were startled, on running in, at seeing within half a cable’s length ahead a small flag flying on what appeared to be a rock, but proved to be a dead whale, the flag marking the owner.
I had here a week of real enjoyment, visiting with my old friends, besides getting two capital days’ hunting. On both occasions I was awarded a brush.
[Sidenote: Aug. 22.]
Sailed.
[Sidenote: Oct. 20.]
At sunset landed with the other passengers by pilot vessel at Portsmouth--one hundred and seventeen days from Madras.
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