It was my Lot first of all to fall into pretty good Company in London which does not always happen to such loose and unguided young Fellows as I then was；the Devil generally not omitting to lay some Snare for them very early：But it was not as with me，I first fell acquainted with the Master of a Ship who had been on the Coast of Guinea；and who having had very good Success there，was resolved to go again；and who taking a Fancy to my Conversation，which was not at all disagreeable at that time，hearing me say I had a mind to see the World，told me if I wou'd go the，Voyage with him I should be at no Expence；I should be his Mess-mate and his Companion，and if I could carry any thing with me，I should have all the Advantage of it that the Trade would admit；and perhaps I might meet with some Encouragement.
I embrac'd the Offer，and entring into a strict Friendship with this Captain，who was an honest and plain-dealing Man，I went the Voyage with him，and carried a small Adventure with me，which by the disinterested Honesty of my Friend the Captain，I increased very considerably；for I carried about 40 l. in such Toys and Trifles as the Captain directed me to buy. This 40 l. I had mustered together by the Assistance of some of my Relations whom I corresponded with，and who，I believe，got my Father，or at least my Mother，to contribute so much as that to my first Adventure.