which none but your fair-weathered Jacks, who have
nothing but their pleasure to mind, ought to entertain. I was piqued at
this insinuation, which I looked upon as a reproach, and, without giving
myself time to deliberate, accepted his offer. He was overjoyed at
my compliance, carried me immediately to his chief owner, with whom a
bargain was struck; so that then I could not retract with honour, had I
been ever so much averse to the agreement. That I might not have time to
cool, he bade me draw out a list of medicines for a complement of five
hundred men, adapted to the distempers of hot climates and sufficient
for a voyage of eighteen months; and carry it to a certain wholesale
apothecary, who would also provide me in two well-qualified mates.
While I was thus employed Strap came in, and looked very blank, when
he understood my resolution: however, after a pause of some minutes,
he insisted upon going along with me; and at my desire was made ship's
steward by Captain Bowling, who promised to be at the expense of fitting
him out, and to lend him two hundred pounds to purchase an adventure.

When I had delivered my list of medicines, chosen a couple of my own
countrymen for mates, and bespoke a set of chirurgical instruments,
my uncle told me, that by his last voyage he had cleared almost three
thousand pounds, one-third of which he would immediately make over and
put into my hands; that he would procure for me credit to the value of
as much wore in such goods as would turn to best account in the country
to which we were bound; and that, although he looked upon my interest
as his own, he would keep the remaining part of his fortune in his own
disposal, with a view of preserving his independence, and the power
of punishing me, in case I should not make a good use of what he had
already bestowed.

Without troubling the reader with an account of the effect which this
surprising generosity had upon my mind, I shall only say, that his
promises were instantly performed, and an invoice of merchandise proper
for the voyage presented to me, that I might purchase the goods,
and ship them with all expedition. In the midst of this hurry, the
remembrance of my charming Narcissa often interposed, and made me the
most miserable of all mortals. I was distracted with the thought of
being torn from her, perhaps for ever; and though the hope of seeing her
again might have supported me under the torments of separation, I could
not reflect