about five o'clock a.m.
There was a great deal of yarn-spinning , some capital singing , and a great deal of wine-drinking , too , on the part of one or two of the guests , notwithstanding which latter drawback we spent a very pleasant evening . On the following morning I waited upon the admiral and received my commission , the presentation of which he saw fit to accompany with a few complimentary as well as congratulatory remarks ; and in the afternoon I drove out to Hurstleigh , as Mr Finnie had named his place , for the purpose of packing up my few traps and bidding my kindest of friends farewell . I remained there that night , joining the ship about twelve o'clock next day . Two days afterwards we sailed from Port Royal , about five o'clock a.m. , and after a long but uneventful passage arrived safely home . We anchored at Spithead on the night of our arrival , and next day the ship was taken into harbour and paid off . When all was done , it was too late for a start for home that night ; so the skipper -- who had no relations belonging to him , and therefore intended to visit his dearie before going anywhere else -- and I put up at the `` George , '' starting the first thing after breakfast next morning . I shall not attempt to describe the joy which our unexpected arrival produced ; suffice it to say that the whole household , not excluding even my reverend father and my revered mother , behaved as though they had suddenly taken leave of their senses ; and it was not until toward evening that anything approaching to calm settled down upon the party .