On this occasion I left home and journeyed down to Portsmouth alone, my father happening at the time to be suffering from an attack of gout which, while not sufficiently serious to be alarming, was nevertheless painful enough to preclude travelling.  Upon arriving at my destination I called at the George Hotel, where Captain Vavassour usually put up, with the intention of reporting myself to him, but, learning that he was on board the frigate, I at once proceeded to the harbour and, engaging a wherry, transported myself and my belongings to Spithead, where the _Europa_ lay at anchor.  I was just in time to catch the Captain and report myself before he left the ship for the night, and then I descended to the midshipmen's berth, where I was joyously welcomed by my former shipmates.