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

...as the day wore on I watched the birds all flying in one direction, and said, Land lies there.

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!

Captain Fisher, the commander, with a party of young ladies from the city and gentlemen belonging to his ship, came one day to pay me a visit in the midst of a deluge of rain.

Anyhow, a philosophical turn of thought now was not amiss, else one's patience would have given out almost at the harbour entrance. The term of her probation was eight days.

The days pass happily with me wherever my ship sails.

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