PASSAGE HOME. 
333 
The ‘ Kite’ touched at Sierra Leone, Bonavista, 
TenerifFe, Madeira, and Lisbon, to take in coals. 
Lisbon was the first opportunity we had, of giving 
intimation to Her Majesty’s Government of the fulfil- 
ment of their instructions. All were in good health 
on the passage, with the exception of Captain Allen, 
whose mind being freed from the responsibility by 
which it had been so long absorbed, no longer sup- 
ported him against the effect of the climate. He had 
an attack of fever, which at one time placed his life in 
some danger. 
It is a curious coincidence with the period of attack 
in other cases, that it came on about the sixteenth 
day of his having been on shore at Sierra Leone. 
On arriving at Madeira he was so weak, that he 
was unable to walk ; but the effect of mountain air 
in that lovely island, was almost miracidous. Mr. 
Veitch having kindly offered him the use of his 
country-house in the “ Jardine” — a mark of hospitable 
attention, which Mr. Webster Gordon also showed by 
inviting him to his beautiful residence at the Monte, 
Captain Allen was immediately taken to the “Jardine,” 
situated at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, in a 
hammock ; and having been there only two nights and 
one clear day, on which he was able to enjoy the 
beauty of the scenery, his strength was so far restored, 
that he rode half the way down on horseback. 
Lieutenant Gooch had anticipated the possibility 
of being ordered to bring us home ; and had most 
