JACK IN THE FORECASTLE
OR
INCIDENTS IN THE EARLY LIFE OF HAWSER MARTINGALE

by John Sherburne Sleeper (1794-1878)

Chapter I
Farewell to New England

I was born towards the close of the last century, in a village
pleasantly situated on the banks of the Merrimack, in
Massachusetts. For the satisfaction of the curious, and the
edification of the genealogist, I will state that my ancestors
came to this country from England in the middle of the
seventeenth century. Why they left their native land to seek an
asylum on this distant shore whether prompted by a spirit of
adventure, or with a view to avoid persecution for religion's
sake is now unknown. Even if they "left their country for
their country's good," they were undoubtedly as respectable,
honest, and noble, as the major part of those needy ruffians who
accompanied William the Conqueror from Normandy in his successful
attempt to seize the British crown, and whose descendants now
boast of their noble ancestry, and proudly claim a seat in the
British House of Peers.

From my earliest years I manifested a strong attachment to
reading; and as matters relating to ships and sailors captivated
my boyish fancy, and exerted a magic influence on my mind, the
"Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," "Peter Wilkins," "Philip
Quarle," and vagabonds of a similar character, were my favorite