apprentice himself to Mr. Richard Chapman, of Deptford Strond,
one of the Queen's Master shipwrights, whom his late father had
"bred up from a child to that profession." He was allowed 2L.
6s. 8d. per annum, with which he had to provide himself with
tools and apparel. Pett spent two years in this man's service to
very little purpose; Chapman then died, and the apprentice was
dismissed. Pett applied to his elder brother Joseph, who would
not help him, although he had succeeded to his father's post in
the Royal Dockyard. He was accordingly "constrained to ship
himself to sea upon a desperate voyage in a man-of-war." He
accepted the humble place of carpenter's mate on board the
galleon Constance, of London. Pett's younger brother, Peter,
then living at Wapping, gave him lodging, meat, and drink, until
the ship was ready to sail. But he had no money to buy clothes.
Fortunately one William King, a yoeman in Essex, taking pity upon
the unfortunate young man, lent him 3L. for that purpose; which
Pett afterwards repaid.

The Constance was of only 200 tons burden. She set sail for the
South a few days before Christmas, 1592. There is no doubt that
she was bound upon a piratical adventure. Piracy was not thought
dishonourable in those days. Four years had elapsed since the
Armada had approached the English coast; and now the English and
Dutch ships were scouring the seas in search of Spanish galleons.

Whoever had the means of furnishing a ship, and could find a
plucky captain to command her, sent her out as a privateer. Even
the Companies of the City of London clubbed their means together
for the purpose of sending out Sir Waiter Raleigh to capture
Spanish ships, and afterwards to divide the plunder; as any one