Then, arising out of the loss of the _Psyche_, another matter was brought to the fore which was destined to exercise a very important influence upon my fortunes.  This matter had reference to the dearth of shallow-draught vessels in the slave squadron vessels capable of following the slavers in over the bars of the African rivers and fighting them upon equal terms.  At the moment in question we had not a ship in the squadron drawing less than fourteen feet of water; consequently, when a slaver entered a shallow river, or a river with a shallow bar, such a course of procedure as that which had led up to the loss of the _Psyche_ was imperative; and it was very strongly felt that the time had arrived for an improvement in the conditions.  The result was that _El Caiman_ also was purchased into the service, rechristened the _Dolphin_, and placed under my command with a crew of sixty, all told; of whom, however, Jack Keene, midshipman, and Tasker, the gunner's mate--who in his new ship held the rank of gunner--were the only individuals with whom I had already been shipmate; the rest were a motley crowd indeed, collected out of the gutters and slums of Freetown. The _Dolphin_, it was arranged, was to act in the first instance as tender to the _Eros_; but, later, might perhaps be detached for certain special work which was just then beginning to attract the attention of the authorities.