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CHAPTER VII. 
1804. My indisposition being considerably removed by the 10th 
of January, every preparation was made for my departure. His 
Excellency wrote to every station to have bearers procured for me 
and every thing provided for my reception. This was necessary, 
as the country through which I had to pass was much more wild 
than that from Galle. Although, from the kindness and social 
talents of his Excellency, I had every reason to be pleased with my 
stay, yet the delay of above a fartnight was, in the present instance, 
extremely unfortunate, as it shortened the time which I had destined 
to the Continent of India, in my way to Mangalore. I had received 
a letter from Mr. Duncan, the Governor of Bombay, informing me, 
that, in consequence of orders from Lord VVellesIey, one of the 
Company's cruizers would be there early in Februaiy to convey me 
to the Red Sea. As it is considered advisable to sail, at the latest, 
in that month, I had no time to lose, and was obliged to make the 
best of my way to Manaar, thence to Ramiseram, and to proceed as 
fast as possible to Madras. On the 13th my baggage and other 
articles were sent off on cooleys for Negumbo, whither I meant to 
follow on the next day, his Excellency having kindly promised to 
accompany me so far on my way. The boys who were to proceed 
from that place were likewise sent on, and ten were hired to assist 
the Governor's and his aid-de-camp Major Beaver's for the first 
stage. I had also hired four lascaryns who could speak a little 
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