nine o'clock
I was soon in the high road , and clear of the town of Chatham . As my object was that it should not be supposed that I had been there , I made all the haste I could to increase my distance ; I therefore walked on in the direction of Gravesend , where I arrived about ten o'clock . A return chaise offered to take me to Greenwich for a few shillings , and before morning dawned I had gained the metropolis . I lost no time in inquiring when the coaches started for Portsmouth , and found that I was in plenty of time , as one set off at nine o'clock . Much as I wished to see London , my curiosity gave way to what I considered the necessity of my immediate return to the frigate . At seven o'clock in the evening I arrived at Portsmouth ; I hastened down , jumped into a wherry , and was on board of the frigate again by eight . It may be imagined that my sudden and unexpected appearance caused no little surprise .