ce the
"Champion," ordered to join our flag.

In spite of the precautions supposed to have been observed, cholera at
length discovered itself in the fleet; and on the 27th June a case from
the "Vigilant" and another from the "Encounter," were conveyed to the
hospital. At once further restrictions were placed on the leave, and
though not absolutely stopped it was curtailed to sundown.

July 2nd.--Resumed our cruise (now under the admiral) to the northward.
The "Foxhound," outside, was signalled to repair to Hong Kong, and the
"Zephyr" ordered up to take her place. The "Foxhound" has shewn herself
to be a most indifferent sailer and steamer, and not at all suited as a
handy auxiliary to the squadron.

July 5th.--Four years in commission to-day! Are we ever to hear anything
of our relief? I think we shall be preparing for eventualities if we
meditate a serious study of the Chinese and kindred languages to fit us
for an indefinite stay in the far east. Have they forgotten us at home?

On the passage to Hakodadi the "Cleopatra" and "Curacoa" each lost a
poor fellow, of cholera. Thus it is evident had we not cleared out of
Yokohama when we did the epidemic might have taken alarming hold on the
squadron.

We have left Hakodadi, and are now cruising up the gulf of Tartary to as
far north as our first year's round. Passing by Dui we braced sharp up,
encountering, with double reefs, a strong wind and heavy sea for the
sixty miles stretch across to Castries bay, making that anchorage in a
dense fog. Hence we recrossed to Dui, coaled, and continued southward to
Barracouta harbour. For the future this anchorage will possess a
melancholy interest for the "Cleopatra;" for, a day before sailing, the
squadron was startled to hear that a shocking and fatal occurrence had
happened to an officer of that ship, who was unfortunately shot through
the inadvertent discharge of a fowlingpiece. He was an officer much
beloved by the ship's company.

August 12th.--A day's sail from Vladivostock we fell in with the
"Champion," one of the "Curacoa" class. I suppose, from her appearance,
black must be the uniform of the Pacific station, a color which looks
confessedly proper and ship-shape, but one which our admiral will not
allow on any account.

On arriving at Vladivostock, scraping operations were commenced on her,
and by the following morning early her crew had greeted us with
"Good-bye, 'Jumbo,'" which they had erased in great straggling