When I returned from my first voyage, my family inquired how I liked my profession, and, with all truth, I informed them that I did not like it at all, and that I would be willing to have my indentures cancelled and to return to shore life once more, if I might be so permitted.

My father smiled grimly, and seemed to derive considerable satisfaction from the fact that he had prophesied disaster from the outset.
"No," he said, "you have made your bed, my lad, and now you must lie upon it.

There is still a considerable portion of your apprenticeship to be served, and it will be quite soon enough for us at the end of that time to decide what you are to do." A month later I was at sea again, bound this time for Sydney.

We reached that port on my nineteenth birthday, and by that time I had made up my mind.

Articles or no Articles, I was determined to spend no more of my life on board that hateful ship.