161

157

afterwards a Portuguese barque came in with Emigrants.
At 3 Admiral and Lieut went on shore when the weather
appeared rather threatning, causing them to take their
umbrellas with them. Weather very hot and unpleasant. At
5.30 they returned dining at 6. In the evening
played vingt un in the Engineers mess, and went
to bed very early.

December 24th A rainy morning. A fresh case
of fever on board. 9 went to Quarters. Admiral
and Lieut went on shore, returning at noon. At
1 PM the Captain of the Port came on board to call
on the Admiral and on leaving was saluted with
eleven guns, by which one of our men through negligence
loss one of his arms. At 4 weighed and steamed
down the river coming to an anchor a little before
sunset. Several of the men drunk, and singing, to
which the Admiral put a stop, but went to sleep
himself on deck on a chair till after eleven PM.
Xmas eve in the Gun Room very quiet, and I
was in bed before nine. Thought often of L-y.

Thursday December 25th 1856. At Sea. At
5 got under weigh again and proceeded to join the
Flag Ship. 7.30 crosed when the Elite went on
board. At 10 Admiral made a signal for Church,
after which he made another, saying he wished all
hands many merry Xmasses which was answered
by "thank you" from us. Weather melting hot, and
but little wind. My patient as well as could be
expected. At 3 PM all the Officers in the ship
sat down to our Xmas dinner, which passed