My ambition
I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, where I was educated. My father wanted me to become a lawyer but my only desire was to go to the sea. My father was a serious, wise man and he advised me strongly against it.
When I was eighteen, I talked to my mother about it, hoping that she would convince my father to let me go. I soon realized I would never have their consent.
I resisted another year, until, one day, a friend of mine invited me to sail with him on his father's ship. So it was that I left home without asking permission and began my life at sea.
The Voyage
After various adventures which I will not recount here, I found myself on a ship sailing for the African coast. One day a violent tornado took us by surprise and for twelve days our ship was driven here and there by the fearful winds. We could do nothing except hope, although our chances of survival were very few.
