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CHAPTER XVII.

The Buffalo being ready for Sea, I receive an Intimation from Mr. Marsden, that the late Governor has obtained a Remission of my unexpired Time, and consents to take me home as his Clerk.—I wait on his Excellency accordingly, and receive orders to go on board.—We set sail.

THE process of fitting out and victualling the Buffalo, with other causes, delayed the Governor's departure for some weeks after the appointed time. At length I received, about the first of February, in a note from Mr. Marsden, (who with his family, had removed to Sydney, in readiness for embarkation,) the agreeable tidings that Governor King had consented to take me on board the Buffalo, in the capacity of his private clerk, and had obtained the sanction of Governor Bligh for my departure from the colony. Mr. Marsden concluded with advising me to wait on Governor King without delay, for the purpose of receiving his commands. I immediately hastened to Sydney, and waited on his Excellency, who after some conversation, told me that the Buffaloes complement being already full, it was not in his power to put me on the ship's books^[1], but

1. Governor King was a post-captain in the navy, and principal commander of the Buffalo, having a second (acting) captain