244 RETURN TO BOMBAY. 



that he was convalescent. At length, he was able to ride 

 out, and a couple of weeks of such exercise restored him 

 to such a degree of vigor that he determined to prepare 

 at once, for our return to Bombay. Our expenses during 

 this alarming period of affliction, were very heavy, as may 

 be supposed, and doubtless, my friend, although the least 

 sordid of men, began to think that his expedition was 

 costing beyond what he could afford to spend. However 

 that might have been, we made hasty preparation for our 

 return by water. A coasting vessel, of the kind called an 

 Indian ketch, was chartered and stored with every thing 

 supposed to be needed for such a voyage. Our horses 

 were sold. They had seen hard service, but were, never- 

 theless, in excellent condition, owing to their good treat- 

 ment during the long period of my friend's illness. Our 

 other sporting apparatus and the trophies of the chase 

 were preserved. 



The voyage down the Sabematty, and thence, by the 

 Gulf of Cambay, to Bombay, occupied two weeks. During 

 the greater part of the trip we had pleasant weather. But 

 when exposed to the gales of the Indian Ocean, not far 

 above Bombay, we experienced a rough sea. However, 

 we reached the city in safety. 



