CHAPTER XIV.

St Helena--Ascension--Monkeyish pranks in the “horse” latitudes--Young Ben’s fate--An Irish wake on the line--Narrow escape--The Mauritius steamship--Ocean visitors--A westerly gale--Sight the white cliffs of Brighton--Salute the native soil--A greedy mouthful--A dark impression--Direct attention of Government to neglected state of Napoleon’s late residence in St Helena--Obtain reply in 1855--Desire to obtain active military employment--Delays of the Horse Guards authorities--My reception there, 171