SIX MONTHS IN MEXICO. 



211 



however never recollect this excursion but 

 with pleasure. 



Soon after my arrival here, I received a 

 letter from Captain Sturt, of his Majesty's 

 ship Phaeton, then off Vera Cruz, stating that 

 he was going down to Tampico, but should 

 shortly return to take in a cargo of dollars, 

 and then sail direct for England ; politely 

 offering at the same time to convey me and the 

 articles I had collected to Portsmouth free of 

 expense. This determined me to wait here till 

 the Phaeton returned, as the security of sailing 

 in a British frigate, through seas infested by 

 pirates, was, independent of other advantages, 

 sufficient to induce me to avail myself of 

 Captain Sturt's kindness. Dr. Mackie also 

 intended to proceed to England in the same 

 ship, and the society of a gentleman so long 

 a resident in, and so well acquainted with 

 most parts of New Spain, was another power- 

 ful motive with me for accepting this pro- 



p 2 



