Thirty Years From Home; or, a Voice From the Main Deck Being the Experience of Samuel Leech

Were it not that the most common of all inquiries, respecting every man who comes before the public, is, “who is he? whence did he proceed? who were his parents?” &c., I would n...

Before we sought the decks of the _Macedonian_ we paid a short visit to Wanstead, where we met with very pleasant reception, very hospitable entertainment, very affectionate adi...

Shortly after the Christmas debauch, mentioned in the preceding chapter, news was brought to the admiral that nine French frigates were cruising on the Spanish coast: immediatel...

A few days after we had fairly got out to sea, the thrilling cry of “A man overboard!” ran through the ship with electrical effect; it was followed by another cry of, “Heave out...

After running a few days before a fair wind, the delightful cry of “Land ho!” was heard from the mast-head; a cry always pleasant to the inhabitant of a ship, but most especiall...

At Plymouth we heard some vague rumors of a declaration of war against America. More than this, we could not learn, since the utmost care was taken to prevent our being fully in...

I now went below, to see how matters appeared there. The first object I met was a man bearing a limb, which had just been detached from some suffering wretch. Pursuing my way to...

Nearly two weeks had passed since I left the _Macedonian_. I and my companion were living upon the sums I had saved from the presents I received for my civilities to her numerou...

As we lay waiting for our final orders, a report reached us that a large English brig of war, called the _Nimrod_, lay in a cove somewhere near Boston bay. Upon this information...

The next morning we took a survey of our new quarters. We found ourselves placed in a large yard, surrounded by high walls, and strongly guarded by soldiers. Within this inclosu...

On shipping in the _Boxer_, I received three months’ advance, which, excepting a small sum expended for clothing, fell into the hands of my rapacious landlord. How much this gen...

After a short stay at the Balize, we put to sea once more, for the purpose, as it was understood, of touching at Havana, and then returning to New York. This was a cheerful voya...

During the various scenes, dangers and wanderings of these years of my youth, I had not forgotten the home of my boyhood; and, now that I was becoming somewhat settled in my pro...

Weighed down under a pressure of despondency, arising partly from temporary illness, and partly from the greatness of the enterprise I had undertaken, and whose event was so unc...