Começo da Vida

Then he became 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 wouldn't sail with you again for a thousand pounds! You bring bad luck! You cause death!"

His words hurt me. But I didn't say anything. I had too much pride to admit that 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 you were 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 crying home!" I couldn't face that shame. My pride was stronger than my common sense. This is the folly of youth.

We are not ashamed to do wrong. But we are ashamed to correct it. We are not ashamed to be foolish. But we are ashamed to become wise. That's why I went to London. On the road I fought with myself. But pride won all the arguments.

In London I stayed 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 decision. I would find another ship. 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 greatest fool who ever lived. And I would pay dearly for my foolishness.