Page 13
JACOB BODGES,
5
sprightly, insolent and daring, he was,
alternately, the source of amusement and
the subject of abuse to the officers and
crew of the ship; yet it would seem that
he was capable of rendering himself use¬
ful even in this humble station.
In the capacity of waiting and caoin
boy on board different ships, and after¬
wards as a common sailor, he continued
for a great number of years. He visited
almost every port in Europe, as well as
other countries, mingling in scenes of de¬
gradation and vice abroad, till he acquired
the hardness, enterprise and viciousness
of the most dissolute seaman. And who
is more reckless and abandoned than a
homeless, friendless African sailor! Ad-
dieted in early life to every species of pro-
faneness, the sin of intemperance soon
followed. To use his own language, <he
was always profane*and always bad.
After pursuing a sea-faring life till
-sometime during the last war between
this country and England, the vessel in
which he served was driven into New
1*