Thatevilinfluencewhichcarriedmefirstawayfrommyfather'shouse—whichhurriedmeintothewildandindigestednotionofraisingmyfortune, andthatimpressedthoseconceitssoforciblyuponmeastomakemedeaftoallgoodadvice, andtotheentreatiesandeventhecommandsofmyfather—Isay, thesameinfluence, whateveritwas, presentedthemostunfortunateofallenterprisestomyview; andIwentonboardavesselboundtothecoastofAfrica; or, asoursailorsvulgarlycalledit, avoyagetoGuinea.
ItwasmygreatmisfortunethatinalltheseadventuresIdidnotshipmyselfasasailor; when, thoughImightindeedhaveworkedalittleharderthanordinary, yetatthesametimeIshouldhavelearntthedutyandofficeofafore-mastman, andintimemighthavequalifiedmyselfforamateorlieutenant, , soIdidhere; forhavingmoneyinmypocketandgoodclothesuponmyback, Iwouldalwaysgoonboardinthehabitofagentleman; andsoIneitherhadanybusinessintheship, norlearnedtodoany.
ItwasmylotfirstofalltofallintoprettygoodcompanyinLondon, whichdoesnotalwayshappentosuchlooseandmisguidedyoungfellowsasIthenwas; thedevilgenerallynotomittingtolaysomesnareforthemveryearly; ; andwho, havinghadverygoodsuccessthere, , whichwasnotatalldisagreeableatthattime, hearingmesayIhadamindtoseetheworld, toldmeifIwouldgothevoyagewithhimIshouldbeatnoexpense; Ishouldbehismessmateandhiscompanion; andifIcouldcarryanythingwithme, Ishouldhavealltheadvantageofitthatthetradewouldadmit; andperhapsImightmeetwithsomeencouragement.