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1 My first sea journey |
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Before I begin my story, I would like to tell you a little about myself. |
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I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York in the north of England. |
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My father was German, but he came to live and work in England. |
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Soon after that, he married my mother, who was English. |
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Her family name was Robinson, so, when I was born, they called me Robinson, after her. |
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My father did well in his business and I went to a good school. |
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He wanted me to get a good job and live a quiet, comfortable life. |
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But I didn't want that. |
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I wanted adventure and an exciting life. |
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'I want to be a sailor and go to sea, ' I told my mother and father. |
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They were very unhappy about this. |
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'Please don't go, ' my father said. |
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'You won't be happy, you know. |
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Sailors have a difficult and dangerous life. ' |
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And because I loved him, and he was unhappy, I tried to forget about the sea. |
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But I couldn't forget, and about a year later, I saw a friend in town. |
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His father had a ship, and my friend said to me, |
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'We're sailing to London tomorrow. |
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Why don't you come with us? ' |
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And so, on September 1st, 1651, I went to Hull, and the next day we sailed for London. |
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But, a few days later, there was a strong wind. |
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The sea was rough and dangerous, and the ship went up and down, up and down. |
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I was very ill, and very afraid. |
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'Oh, I don't want to die! ' I cried. |
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'I want to live! If I live, I'll go home and never go to sea again! ' |
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The next day the wind dropped, and the sea was quiet and beautiful again. |
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'Well, Bob, ' my friend laughed. 'How do you feel now? The wind wasn't too bad. '“ |
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'What! ' I cried. 'It was a terrible storm. ' |
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'Oh, that wasn't a storm, ' my friend answered. 'Just a little wind. |
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Forget it. Come and have a drink. ' |