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solved to go again; and who taking a Fancy to my Conversation, which was not at all disagreeable at that time, hearing me say I had a mind to see the World, told me, if I wou'd go the Voyage with him I should be at no Expence; I should be his Mess-mate and Companion, and if I could carry any Thing with me, I should have all the Advantage of it that the Trade would admit; and perhaps I might meet with some Encouragement.
I embrac'd the Offer, and entring into a strict Friendship with this Captain, who was an honest and plain-dealing Man, I went the Voyage with him, and carried a small Adventure with me, which by the disinterested Honesty of my Friend the Captain, I increased very considerably; for I carried about 40l. in such Toys and Trifles as the Captain directed me to buy. This 40l. I had mustered together by the Assistance of some of Relations whom I corresponded with, and who, I believe got my Father, or at least my Mother, to contribute so much as that to my first Adventure.
This was the only Voyage which I may say was successful in all my Adventures, and which I owe to the Integrity and Honesty of my Friend the Captain, under whom also I got a competent Knowledge of Mathematicks and the Rules of Navigation, learn'd how to keep an Account of the Ship's Course, take an Observation; and in short, to understand some Things that were needful to be understood by a Sailor: For, as he took Delight to introduce me, I took Delight to learn; and, in a Word, this Voyage made me both a Sailor and a Merchant: For I brought Home L. 5. 9 Ounces of Gold Dust for my Adventure, which yielded me in London, at my Return, almost 300 l. and this fill'd me with those aspiring Thoughts which have since so compleated my Ruin.Yet
