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I was very glad to go with him. I would see strange lands and savage people. I would have many a stirring adventure.

Before ten days had passed, we were out on the great ocean. Our ship was headed toward the south.

The captain was very kind to me. He taught me much that every sailor ought to know. He showed me how to steer and manage the vessel. He told me about the tides and the compass and how to reckon the ship's course.

The voyage was a pleasant one, and I saw more wonderful things than I can name.

When, at last, we sailed back to London, we had gold enough to make a poor man rich.

I had nearly six pounds of the yellow dust for my own share.

I had learned to be a trader as well as a sailor.

It would take too long to tell you of all my voyages. Some of them were happy and successful; but the most were unpleasant and full of disappointment.

Sometimes I went to Africa, sometimes to the new land of South America. But wherever I sailed I found the life of a sailor by no means easy.

I did not care so much now to see strange sights and visit unknown shores.

I cared more for the money or goods that I would get by trading.

At last a sudden end was put to all my sailing. And it is of this that I will now tell you.

I UNDERTAKE A NEW VENTURE

(я предпринимаю новое рискованное начинание; venture — рискованное предприятие, рискованное начинание)

I HAD grown very tired of being a sailor (я стал очень уставшим от /того, что/ был моряком = мне весьма надоело…; to grow — расти; становиться). I was so tired of it that I made up my mind to try something else (я настолько устал от этого, что принял решение попытать что-то другое; to try — пробовать, испытывать).

It happened that I was then in Brazil (случилось, что я был тогда в Бразилии). I bought some land there (я купил там сколько-то = некоторое количество земли; to buy — покупать) and began to open a plantation (и начал открывать = основывать плантацию). The ground was rich (земля/почва была богатой), and it would be easy to raise tobacco and sugar cane (и было бы легко выращивать табак и сахарный тростник).

But I needed many things (но мне нужно было много вещей). I must have plows and hoes and a sugar mill (я должен иметь = у меня должны быть плуги, и мотыги, и сахарную мельницу = сахарный завод). Above all (и прежде всего: «выше всего») I must have men (у меня должны быть люди) to do the work on the plantation (чтобы делать работу = чтобы работать на плантации).

But neither men nor tools could I get in Brazil (но ни людей, ни инструментов я не мог достать в Бразилии).

I sent to London for the tools (я послал в Лондон за инструментами; to send — посылать). I tried to buy some slaves of the planters near me (я попытался купить рабов у плантаторов около меня), but they had not enough for themselves (но у них не было достаточно для самих себя).