Début dans la Vie

Then he got angry. His son had told him my story. "What kind of fool runs away from a good father? What kind of fool throws away a comfortable life? I would not sail with you again for a thousand pounds! You bring bad luck! You cause death!"

His words hurt me. But I said nothing. I had too much pride to admit he was right. He continued to speak. "Mark my words. If you don't go home you will face disaster after disaster. Your father's curse will follow you. You will suffer until you wish to be dead."

We separated. I never saw them again. I had money in my pocket from the kind people of Yarmouth. I could go home to York. Or I could go to London and find another ship. The choice was mine. But shame made my decision for me.

How could I go home? Everyone would laugh at me. "There's the boy who ran away to sea!" they would say. "One storm and he came home crying!" I couldn't face this shame. My pride was stronger than my common sense. It's the folly of youth.

We are not ashamed to do wrong. But we are ashamed to make things right. We are not ashamed to be fools. But we are ashamed to become wise. So I went to London. On the road I struggled with myself. But pride won every argument.

In London I stayed for some time. The memory of the storm began to fade. My fear became weaker. My desire for adventure became stronger. I thought less about home. I thought less about my father's tears. I thought less about God's warnings.

Finally I made my choice. I would find another boat. I would try again. I would prove that I was not a coward. I would show everyone that I could be a sailor. I was the biggest fool who ever lived. And I would pay dearly for my foolishness.