six in
the evening, September 26th
I hailed her , but could get no answer ; yet I found I gained upon her , for the wind slackened . I made all the sail I could , and in half an hour she spied me , then hung out her ancient , and discharged a gun . It is not easy to express the joy I was in , upon the unexpected hope of once more seeing my beloved country , and the dear pledges I left in it . The ship slackened her sails , and I came up with her between five and six in the evening , September 26th ; but my heart leaped within me to see her English colours . I put my cows and sheep into my coat-pockets , and got on board with all my little cargo of provisions . The vessel was an English merchantman , returning from Japan by the North and South seas ; the captain , Mr. John Biddel , of Deptford , a very civil man , and an excellent sailor . We were now in the latitude of 30 degrees south ; there were about fifty men in the ship ; and here I met an old comrade of mine , one Peter Williams , who gave me a good character to the captain .