a change of forty
miles a day was observed in the latitude, and the hearts of officer and
men grew lighter, notwithstanding their miserable plight, always wet to
the skin, and unable to change their clothes for days together. Two
terrific storms were still to be encountered; and, at the commencement
of the second, Mr Murray sent the men below, and remained alone on the
deck, which he never expected to leave alive. The heat of each flash of
lightning was felt as if from a fire; the rain falling in torrents,
leaked in every direction through the deck, and the schooner was fast
filling with water. At length the rain ceased, and the lightning became
fainter, when they made sail again, pumped out, and proceeded till they
had made sufficient northing for Sierra Leone. They then bore up east,
and, on the 31st December, the colour of the water showed that they were
nearing the land. On this day they kept their Christmas, and many were
the hearty toasts they drank to those at home. It was not till the 6th
January, 146 days from the commencement of their voyage, that they
anchored off Sierra Leone, where it was fully believed that they were
lost. Here Mr Murray found his promotion awaiting him for the capture
of the _Firme_, and was at once invalided home.

CAPTURE OF AN ARMED SLAVER BY A FOUR-OARED GIG--1844.

On the 13th of August 1844, Mr John Francis Tottenham, mate of HMS
_Hyacinth_, Commander Scott, performed a gallant and dashing exploit,
which obtained for him his promotion to the rank of lieutenant, and the
testimony of his commander to the coolness, decision, and gallantry
displayed by him on the occasion. When off Fish Bay, on the West Coast
of Africa, Mr Tottenham was sent in a four-oared gig, with one spare
hand, to communicate with the Portuguese governor. The weather became
thick, and he missed his port; but knowing that the _Hyacinth_ was
working along the coast, he anchored for the night, and pulled to the
southward. On the morning of the 13th he discovered a brig at anchor
without colours, and saw her slip and make sail, on which he gave chase.
Being to windward, and the breeze light, he was enabled to approach her
weather-beam, and fire a musket ahead, to induce her to heave to and
show her colours. This and a second were disregarded; but a port was
opened and a gun run out and brought to bear on the boat, which caused
the officer to pull into her wake, when part of the crew of the brig
commenced fi