Slavery and escape

           Thatevilinfluencewhichcarriedmefirstawayfrommyfather’shouse-whichhurriedmeintothewildandindigestednotionofraisingmyfortune,andthatimpressedthoseconceitssoforciblyuponmeastomakemedeaftoallgoodadvice, andtotheentreatiesandeventhecommandsofmyfather-Isay,thesameinfluence,whateveritwas,presentedthemostunfortunateofallenterprisestomyview; andIwentonboardavesselboundtothecoastofAfrica;or,asoursailorsvulgarlycalledit,avoyagetoGuinea. 

           ItwasmygreatmisfortunethatinalltheseadventuresIdidnotshipmyselfasasailor; when,thoughImightindeedhaveworkedalittleharderthanordinary,yetatthesametimeIshouldhavelearntthedutyandofficeofafore-mastman,andintimemighthavequalifiedmyselfforamateorlieutenant,ifnotforamaster. Butasitwasalwaysmyfatetochoosefortheworse,soIdidhere; forhavingmoneyinmypocketandgoodclothesuponmyback,Iwouldalwaysgoonboardinthehabitofagentleman; andsoIneitherhadanybusinessintheship,norlearnedtodoany. 

           ItwasmylotfirstofalltofallintoprettygoodcompanyinLondon,whichdoesnotalwayshappentosuchlooseandmisguidedyoungfellowsasIthenwas;thedevilgenerallynotomittingtolaysomesnareforthemveryearly; butitwasnotsowithme. IfirstgotacquaintedwiththemasterofashipwhohadbeenonthecoastofGuinea;andwho,havinghadverygoodsuccessthere,wasresolvedtogoagain. Thiscaptaintakingafancytomyconversation,whichwasnotatalldisagreeableatthattime,hearingmesayIhadamindtoseetheworld,toldmeifIwouldgothevoyagewithhimIshouldbeatnoexpense;Ishouldbehismessmateandhiscompanion;