seven o'clock in the evening
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 . Indeed , the first lieutenant considered it right to send the gig on shore at that late hour to apprise the captain of my return , and Bob Cross had just time to give me a wring of the hand before he jumped into the boat , and went away to make the report . I gave a history of my adventures to the officers , leaving them , however , to suppose that I had never been to Chatham , but had gone up to London in the merchant vessel .