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CHAPTER XXI.
Captain King leaves the Ship, which proceeds to Portsmouth Harbour.—My melancholy Reflections on my Confinement to the Service,—Preparations for paying off the Buffalo.—Employed by the Purser in arranging the Ship's Books.—Write to London, and receive an answer from my Mother. Obtain leave to go ashore very unexpectedly, and effect my Escape through the friendly aid of a total Stranger.
THE anchor was no sooner down, than the cutter was hoisted out, in which Captain King went ashore and immediately proceeded post to London. The following day the Buffalo weighed, and sailed into Portsmouth harbour, where she was lashed alongside a hulk near the shore, and preparations instantly made for clearing and dismantling her, preparatory to her survey and expected condemnation. Those persons who had obtained a passage on various acounts, and were not on the ship's books, were now permitted to dis-embark, and depart to their respective homes. I now felt the full weight of the misery in which I was involved. After an absence of nearly seven years from my native land, to enjoy once more the sight of that much-loved
