Here Lord obtained a position on one of the Union Co.'s line of steamers, while Paul remained in the hope of finding some ship going to China or Japan.

Paul remained in Cape Town three weeks; but no chance opened to go to the eastward.

He embarked on a French vessel that came in shorthanded, bound for Marseilles.

He went before the mast as there as no other position on her and he had had enough of South Africa.
After a quick passage along the west coast of Africa they reached the straits of Gibraltar and stood across the blue Mediterranean to Marseilles.

While there, assisting to discharge a cargo, Paul fell through a hatch and was badly wounded on the leg by coming in contact with the ragged edge of a roll of copper.