I was born in the breezes, and I had studied the sea as perhaps few men have studied it, neglecting all else.

As for myself, the wonderful sea charmed me from the first.

Good work in the building of my vessel stood me always in good stead.

My ship was also in better condition than when she sailed from Boston on her long voyage. She was still as sound as a nut, and as tight as the best ship afloat. She did not leak a drop - not one drop!

And now, without having wearied my friends, I hope, with detailed scientific accounts, theories, or deductions, I will only say that I have endeavoured to tell just the story of the adventure itself.

I was born in the breezes, and I had studied the sea as perhaps few men have studied it, neglecting all else.

About midnight the fog shut down again denser than before. One could almost "stand on it." It continued so for a number of days, the wind increasing to a gale. The waves rose high, but I had a good ship. Still, in the dismal fog I felt myself drifting into loneliness, an insect on the straw in the midst of the elements.