about ten o'clock
I blew out the light on the table , and put myself in an attitude : one arm raised aloft , the other extended from my body , and with my mouth wide open and my eyes fixed , I awaited her approach . She came in -- saw me -- uttered a fearful shriek , and fell senseless on the floor ; the candle in her hand was extinguished in the fall : I stepped over her body ; and darting out into the back-yard , gained the door , and was in the street in a minute . 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 .