CHAPTER XXXIV
_DIDO_
[Sidenote: 1844. Sept. 5.]
Steamer’s crew cutting wood, I writing distressing letters to the friends of Wade, as well as to the father of Dr. Simpson. Hospitably entertained by Belcher.
Landed sundry parties after deer and hog. Oysters fine, the best things here.
[Sidenote: Sept. 9.]
At an early hour started on a pleasure excursion. Late at night anchored in the Lundu River, having tiffed by the way at one of the small islands on splendid oysters.
[Sidenote: Sept. 10.]
Anchored off the town; visited, and was hospitably entertained by, the Dyaks. In the evening had a feast and a war-dance; was in other ways much amused. Slept in the Dyak “scullery” house.
[Sidenote: Sept. 11.]
Collected all the dogs and beaters and proceeded to the mouth of the river. All sport confined to the Dyaks, we never getting a shot; very good fun, though--a hog was caught by dogs and speared by natives.
[Sidenote: Sept. 12.]
Landed again early; more hogs taken by the natives. Working on towards Santobong; capital luncheon on the finest oysters. Dined on board the _Samarang_.
[Sidenote: Sept. 13.]
Brooke and self returned to _Dido_ in gig, twenty-five miles’ pull. Found heavy sick-list, one marine just expired of dysentery.
Took up quarters with Brooke at The Grove. Deputations and tenders of allegiance from all the surrounding chiefs satisfactory.
[Sidenote: Sept. 14.]
Preparing for moving down. Boats to finish; spars to get on board; captured guns to embark. Visited the Rajah and the Datu, “Father of Hopeful,” his women sprinkling us with yellow rice and gold-dust--one graceful and pretty and well dressed.
[Sidenote: Sept. 15.]
Too much to do on board. Did not go off to muster.
[Sidenote: Sept. 16.]
At daylight saw from my window _Dido_ salute Rajah and commence dropping down the river.
[Sidenote: Sept. 18.]
Went down after breakfast, accompanied by Brooke, and found my _Dido_ at anchor off the junction. Moved further down on rising of tide.
[Sidenote: Sept. 20.]
Williamson, Turnour, Partridge, Charlie Johnson, and Douglas came down from Sarawak to dinner.
[Sidenote: Sept. 21.]
Cruikshank and Williamson to dinner. Finished my claret.
[Sidenote: Sept. 22.]
Reached the mouth of the river. Present of warlike weapons from Budrudeen. Took leave of dear Rajah Brooke, and worked the ship over the bar of the Maratabu.
[Sidenote: Singapore, Oct. 1.]
Arrived in Singapore. Ordered home. More anxious for passage than my one cabin can hold. Selected a rough diamond, but great character, one Michael Quin, lately Captain of _Minden_, hospital ship, also Lieutenant Inglefield. I had but one cabin, but could swing more than two cots.
Pleasure of thoughts of home damped by news of the death of my sister, Lady Leicester.
[Sidenote: Oct. 3.]
News of _Pelican_ having sprung a leak; hope not. _Phlegethon_ off for Brooke and Borneo. Dined with Oxley. His nutmeg plantation worth seeing--cinnamon and cloves.
[Sidenote: Oct. 5.]
Lots of rain. Napier spliced this morning. Tiffin at Balestiers’ to meet the happy pair. Good fellow Napier, and a pair well matched.
[Sidenote: Oct. 9.]
Up very early. On board _Diana_ steamer with Governor and Mrs. Butterworth. Lady party; _Dido’s_ band. Returned by Rhio Straits. Dance on board. Pleasant day.
[Sidenote: Oct. 10.]
Called on the Blundells. Like her and her sister much. Dined with Stevenson.
[Sidenote: Oct. 11.]
A snug little dinner of ten good fellows prior to a dance given by Tom Church in honour of the _Dido’s_ Captain. Band got drunk.
[Sidenote: Oct. 14.]
My _Dido_ visited by Governor and Mrs. Butterworth, Mrs. Blundell, and sister--the three nicest women in Singapore. A grand parting dinner given to me by the inhabitants of Singapore. Nervous, very, making my speech.
[Sidenote: Oct. 15.]
Old Balestier, American Consul, on board; salutes, etc., Governor, giving a grand dinner to “meet Captain Keppel”; ladies there; more nervous in returning thanks.
[Sidenote: Oct. 16.]
Weighed from Singapore. Fort saluting me. Invalids improving.
[Sidenote: Oct. 19.]
Passed mouth of the Moowar, of bygone memories. Came to off Malacca at sunset.
[Sidenote: Oct. 20.]
Called on Governor; both nice people. Visited Salmona and stopped to dinner; drove in with Morrison afterwards.
[Sidenote: Oct. 22.]
Young Barney Rodyk embarked; sadly pressed for room; made sail. _Wolverine_ in co.
[Sidenote: Oct. 23.]
Well ahead of _Wolverine_. Came to off Parcelar Hill; boarded by a boat from a ship full of pilgrims from Mecca, having struck on a bank with loss of rudder and hard up for water. Sent _Wolverine_ to her assistance.
[Sidenote: Oct. 26.]
No use fretting about the wind. Hardly consider myself as homeward bound until round Acheen Head.
[Sidenote: Oct. 28.]
Decided, against Master, on southern passage, and anchored off Penang at sunset. Went to Captain’s house, the most comfortable quarters in India. Issued invitations: “Captain Keppel and officers request the pleasure of everybody’s company to-morrow evening.” Dined with Sir William and Lady Norris. Mrs. Hall at home.
[Sidenote: Oct. 30.]
Visited various hospitals with Cantor--one of lunatics of all sorts. Got “Chopsticks” from school. Dined with old Lewis. Capital ball and supper given by “Didos.” Kept up till daylight did appear.
[Sidenote: Oct. 31.]
Weighed before turning in; very seedy, though. Fort saluted me with 13 guns. Really off for home.
[Sidenote: Nov. 1.]
Lots of talk about the ball; everybody pleased.
[Sidenote: Nov. 5.]
One of the invalids from _Driver_ died--a young man; the effects of Hong Kong climate. Committed his remains to the deep. Sensible to the last that he was going, but did not seem to trouble himself as to the road; a good man, too, in his way.
[Sidenote: Nov. 22.]
Anniversary of the birthday of Princess Royal. Run of 251 miles in last twenty-four hours.
[Sidenote: Simon’s Bay, Dec. 4.]
My cabin-meeting of the fine arts. Inglefield doing me pictures of my _Dido_. Ran into Simon’s Bay with a leading wind, saluting the flag of my kind friend Sir Jos. Percy, of Mediterranean memory, whose flag was now flying on board _Winchester_--Captain Charles Eden. Found George Woodhouse here in the _Thunderbolt_, 6, a steam vessel. In fact, I felt myself already at home--scarcely a stone on shore that did not convey some pleasant reminiscence of happy days. In every house a home. While refitting I had scarcely time to call on half my kind friends. Among those I undertook to entertain at my table, in addition to my two passengers, was Edward Drummond, a nephew of the Admiral, and about to enter the Church. [Years afterwards I was his guest at Cadland, Southampton, and he the head of the great Drummond Bank at Charing Cross.] My other guest, a quiet, retiring Swede, who had served his term in our service, by name Adleborg, a clever artist as well as a good fellow.
[Sidenote: Dec. 16.]
Luncheon with Lady Sarah Maitland--like the Lennoxes, nice family. At Wynberg; a very agreeable dinner and evening. Kerr Hamilton there.
[Sidenote: Dec. 18.]
Ship ready. Stopped to luncheon with Admiral at one. Went over _Winchester_: nice order and beautifully clean. My _Dido_ under way, Charles Eden putting me on board. Outside, a freshening breeze from the south-east, but we had to weather the Cape. Topgallant sails over double-reefed topsails; a strong set against us. It was not until close to the Anvil and Bellows that we felt the full strength of the current. The Master and self had taken our position on the forecastle, each holding on to the up-and-down part of the fore-topsail sheets, spray breaking over us. We now became aware of what we had undertaken. On looking under the foot of the fore-sail, the Cape and South Africa appeared to be rushing at us: it was too late either to bear up or attempt to tack. Held on, I am afraid, with eyes closed. The Master was the first to call out, “Wave weathered”; the offset from the rocky Cape alone saved us: we appeared to be rushing up the west side of the African coast. On the weather-quarter the Cape appeared close to, but towering far above our mast-heads. By degrees, but slowly, we drew off the west coast. I do not believe that any other ship could, under the circumstances, have been saved.
[Sidenote: Dec. 20.]
Adleborg a first-rate artist, clever at allegorical sketches of _Dido_, which I value; very clever and witty they are.
[Sidenote: Dec. 27.]
2 A.M.--Anchored at St. Helena. Visited old Solomon and his shop; also Colonel and Mrs. Trelawney. Weighed at 1.30 P.M. According to notice, made sail 3 P.M. Found _Larne_ and _Rapid_.
[Sidenote: 1845. Jan. 13.]
Sails splitting and ropes giving way; foolish economy, ships not being better supplied.
[Sidenote: Jan. 27.]
Breeze freshening up; thermometer falling; bitter cold, hazy weather. Hauled in; made the land to the eastward of Bill of Portland; bore up for the Needles: arrived at Spithead. Reported myself to my old friend Hyde Parker, Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard, Commander-in-Chief Sir Charles Rowley being on leave. It was blowing fresh from the S.E., but having an experienced pilot, gave the Master leave to stay on shore the night, and sent my gig on board.
[Sidenote: Jan. 27.]
Admiral Parker said I had better call in the afternoon, as he had telegraphed to the Admiralty. I then visited my old friend Casher, the wine merchant, and inquired if he knew anything of the whereabouts of my wife, as he had always forwarded parcels between us. He informed me that she had come home from Boulogne: only two days ago he had sent parcels to my place at Droxford, where she had joined her father, who, with his family, had taken possession.
The days were short, and it was dark before I got back to the Admiral; he informed me that _Dido_ was ordered to Sheerness. I ventured to state that I had ordered my gig on board. He said: “I have anticipated that; you will find the _Fanny_ tender fast to a buoy at the harbour, with orders to take you off.”
Now this _was_ a go; I had been more than four years absent: my wife within thirteen miles.
I went to Casher’s and inquired if he had a man acquainted with Gosport, or any one who could find a Mr. Allen, Master of the _Dido_, and bring him to me. I waited a good while, in cocked hat, sword, and epaulettes, before the poor Master appeared in pea-jacket and oilskin, etc. I soon explained the state of affairs.
He was just about my size. It ended by my saying that he must change clothes with me. The _Fanny_ was waiting at the buoy. He would personate me, find orders on board, and obey them. Allen muttered something about losing my commission. We went off in a wherry. On his getting on board he received his orders, opened and read them. I touched my hat, and said “Goodbye, Sir,” and told the waterman to land me at Gosport. Reached Droxford in time for dinner! Brother-in-law soon rigged me in proper costume.
Following morning took wife and self off in a yellow post-chaise, but my danger of being found out was not over. The Captain Superintendent, W. H. Shireff, was an old friend of mine; fond of driving a team of horses, and we used to think he managed it in a seamanlike way.
[Sidenote: Sheerness, Jan. 28.]
When we arrived at the dockyard gates it was luckily quite dark. Drove to the Superintendent’s house and took him at once into my confidence.
[Sidenote: Jan. 29.]
No news of _Dido_! Shireff gave us a steamer to Sheerness. Took a fly to the pilot, where we had lodged while fitting out.
[Sidenote: Jan. 31.]
It was the third night before _Dido_ arrived, when, in the early morning, the good pilot Taylor took me off and I returned the Master his hat and pea-jacket. Soon after 8 A.M. reported arrival of _Dido_ to Vice-Admiral Sir John Chambers, K.C.B.
[Sidenote: Feb. 3.]
My _Dido_ inspected for last time by Admiral Sir John White. Very cold and rainy weather. Men showed themselves well to the last. My brother Tom came down.
[Sidenote: Feb. 4.]
Getting on with the dismantling. Went on board with Tom and wife. Bitter cold weather. Tom stopping with us--affectionate, good fellow.
[Sidenote: Feb. 6.]
Preparations for paying progressing. Dirty and bitter cold weather continuing. Custom House people troublesome. Smuggling progressing. Paying off days much alike!
[Sidenote: Feb. 12.]
My reign in _Dido_ finished this morning. Paid off, men receiving about £4000. Glad as I am to get back, I do not leave my ship without feelings of regret.