CHAPTER XX. 



Pursuant to the resolution mentioned in the last chapter, I 

 sailed from Bombay for Europe, on the 1st of December 1775. 

 With regret 1 left a spot, where I had spent several happy years, 

 in a delightful society; heightened by the charms of friendship, 

 and animated by the hope of acquiring that independence which 

 first led me to its distant shores. Although illness frustrated the 

 enjoyment of these pursuits, I endeavoured to encourage the pleas- 

 ing anticipation of seeing parents, friends, and my native country, 

 and returning to India with renewed health and an advantageous 

 appointment. 



The ships of that season had been all dispatched to Europe 

 previous to my determination of leaving India; I was therefore 

 under the necessity of embarking for the Cape of Good in the 

 Betsey schooner, a vessel built on an Indiaman's long-boat, and 

 perhaps the smallest ever sent on such a voyage, having only four 

 European sailors besides the captain and two officers; the rest of 

 the crew were Lascars, or Indian mariners. 



Soon after leaving Bombay we fell in with the north-east trade- 

 wind, which in thirteen days carried us off Cape Bassos on the 

 coast of Africa, which we saw at a few leagues distance. The 



