The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano

The author is baptized -- Narrowly escapes drowning -- Goes on an expedition to the Mediterranean -- Incidents he met with there -- Is witness to an engagement between some English and French ships -- A particular account of the celebrated engagement between Admiral Boscawen and Mons. Le Clue, off Cape Logas, in August 1759 -- Dreadful explosion of a French ship -- The author sails for England -- His master appointed to the command of a fire-ship -- Meets a negro boy, from whom he experiences much benevolence -- Prepares for an expedition against Belle-Isle -- A remarkable story of a disaster which befell his ship -- Arrives at Belle-Isle -- Operations of the landing and siege -- The author's danger and distress, with his manner of extricating himself -- Surrender of Belle-Isle -- Transactions afterwards on the coast of France -- Remarkable instance of kidnapping -- The author returns to England -- Hears a talk of peace, and expects his freedom -- His ship sails for Deptford to be paid off, and when he arrives there he is suddenly seized by his master and carried forcibly on board a West India ship and sold.

It was now between two and three years since I first came to England, a great part of which I had spent at sea; so that I became inured to that service, and began to consider myself as happily situated; for my master treated me always extremely well; and my attachment and gratitude to him were very great. From the various scenes I had beheld on shipboard, I soon grew a stranger to terror of every kind, and was, in that respect at least, almost an Englishman. I have often reflected with surprise that I never felt half the alarm at any of the numerous dangers I have been in, that I was filled with at the first sight of the Europeans, and at every act of theirs, even the most trifling, when I first came among them, and for some time afterwards. That fear, however, which was the effect of my ignorance, wore away as I began to know them. I could now speak English tolerably well, and I perfectly understood everything that was said. I now not only felt myself quite easy with these new countrymen, but relished their society and manners. I no longer looked upon them as spirits, but as men superior to us; and therefore I had the stronger desire to resemble them; to imbibe their spirit, and imitate their manners; I therefore embraced every occasion of improvement; and every new thing that I observed I treasured up in my memory. I had long wished to be able to read and write; and for this purpose I took every opportunity to gain instruction, but had made as yet very little progress. However, when I went to London with my master, I had soon an opportunity of improving myself, which I gladly embraced. Shortly after my arrival, he sent me to wait upon the Miss Guerins, who had treated me with much kindness when I was there before; and they sent me to school.