,,out ,,( ,,! ,,fog  ,a ,/ory ( ! ,sea  
,c4 ,k4 ,,ob]  ,introduction ,by ,dr4   
,wilfr$ ,t4 ,gr5fell     ,,=eword       
,s9ce ,i am p]mitt$ to consid] myself 9 
"s way responsible = ?is n>rative's be+ 
put on record1 x is ) ! v he>tie/ good w
 t ,i accept ! publi%]s' k9d invitation 
to write a brief =eword to x4  ,i h1    
dur+ tw5ty ye>s1 be5 work+ aga9/ a      
problem t ,i recogniz$ call$ = all--yes1
 & m1 ?an--,i _h to give x4 ,= ,i h be5 
endeavor+1 ?r\gh my own imp]fect        
atta9m5ts1 to translate into und5iable  
language on ! ,labrador ,coa/1 ! message
 ( ,god's p]sonal fa!rhood ov] & love = 
! humble/ ( ,8 creatures4 ,dur+ ^! ye>s1
 (t5 ( ov]work1 ,i h consid]$ x wor?    
:ile to lay aside "t & en]gy & /r5g? to 
improve ! *>t+ & pilot directions ( our 
devi\s & sometimes dang]\s wat]ways4    
,h[ mu* m gladly %all ,i naturally avail
 myself ( any *ance by :i* to contribute
 to ! k ( t seem+ly ev] evasive pa?way  
lead+ to t :i* to me is ! supreme motive
 p[] ( human life--fai? 9 ! div9e       

,r$eem] & ,ma/]4 ,! be/ helps to rea* ! 
hav5 we are 9 se>* (1 ov] ! unblaz$     
trails ( ,labrador1 are ev] ! tracks (  
^? :o h f\nd ! way be=e u4 ,j su* to me 
is ?is simple & delightful /ory ( ,mr4  
,ob]'s4 ,x has my mo/ he>ty pray]s = its
 unprec$5t$ circulation4  ,,wilfr$ ,t4  
,,gr5fell4     ,illu/ration   ,,old     
,,salts   ,! lure ( ! sea prevail$1 & at
 n9ete5 ,i %ipp$ = a f\r-mon?s' fi%+    
trip on ! ,newf\ndl& ,banks4 ,^! banks  
are n ! k9d t slope t[>d "s g5tle /ream 
:]e ! we>y fi%]man c re/ betwe5 bites1  
protect$ f ! sun by ! %ade ( an ov]hang+
 tree2 !y are ?irty to =ty fa?oms b5ea? 
! surface ( ! ,atlantic ,ocean1 a ?\s&  
miles out f ! ,massa*usetts coa/4  ,!   
life t _h long appeal$ to my imag9ation 
n[ came 9 ) a %ock & a realism t 0 9 "p 
a disillusionm5t & 9 "p an int5se       
satisfaction ( "s ( my primal in/9cts & 
crav+s4 ,old salts are m picturesque &  
companionable sp9n+ y>ns ab\t ! /ove 9 a
 %oemak]'s %op ?an !y are :5 "o is      
oblig$ to live1 eat & sleep ) !m = f\r  

mon?s 9 ! cr[d$ =eca/le ( a fi%+ s*oon]4
 ,an ocean /orm is a sublime spectacle1 
witness$ f a position ( safety on ! l&2 
b a /orm on ! ocean1 exp]i5c$ 9 its v   
vortex f ! deck ( a t9y fi%+ boat1 is   
?rill+ beyond description4 ,%ips t pass 
9 ! night make int]e/+ read+2 b if !y   
pass ne> y1 9 a foggy night1 on !       
,banks1 !y are bett] ?an ! muezz9 ( !   
,moslem 9 rem9d+ a man t x is "t to     
pray4 ,i recall ) vividness ! sc5e on   
su* a night1 & /ill feel ! compell+ p[] 
( ! panic 9 ! voice ( ! mild-mann]$ old 
sea dog on an*or wat*1 z he yell$ d[n ! 
companionway1 ,all h&s on deck4 ,9 six  
seconds we 7 all !re2 & !re 0 ! great   
hulk ( a two-?\s&-ton %ip loom+ up out (
 ! night4 ,%e _h evid5tly sight$ our    
little craft j 9 "t to *ange h] c\rse1 &
 0 pass+ u ) n m ?an a hundr$ & fifty   
feet to sp>e4 ,i c see !m tonight1 z !y 
vani%$ into ! fog--?ree m5 & a big      
,newf\ndl& dog1 look+ ov] ! rail & d[n  
on u :o1 a mom5t be=e1 7 ab\t to die4   
,/orm1 fog1 iceb]gs1 cold1 exposure1 !  

al]t & /r5u\s life1 ) 8 own life ! =feit
 ( failure1 are a "p ( ! normal exp]i5ce
 ( a deep sea fi%]man4 ,two memb]s ( our
 crew 7 fa!r & son1 ,uncle ,ike ,pat* & 
8 son1 ,frank4 ,! old man _h be5 a      
fi%]man 9 8 y\?1 b _h be5 on %ore =     
?irty ye>s4 ,:5 we 7 mak+ up our crew1  
,frank caught ! fi%+ fev] & want$ to g1 
& 8 fa!r decid$ to g along ) him4 ,!y 7 
out 9 _! dory1 "o foggy day1 & :5 !     
boats came back to ! vessel f haul+ _!  
trawls1 ,uncle ,ike & ,frank 7 miss+4   
,we rang ! bell1 fir$ our small cannon1 
%\t$ & s5t boats out aft] !m4 ,z night  
came on1 we 7 huddl$ toge!r 9 ! =eca/le1
 wond]+ ab\t _! fate1 :ile ! old fi%]m5 
told /ories ( ! fog & its fe>ful toll ( 
human life4 ,x seem$ a t]rible ?+ = !   
old man & 8 boy to be out !re1 drift+ no
 "o knew :]e2 & ?\gh we 7 accu/om$ to   
dang]1 !re 0 a gloomy crew & little     
sleep on our s*oon] t night4 ,9 ! morn+ 
! wea!r cle>$ & soon our miss+ boat came
 alongside2 we receiv$ !m z m5 alive f !
 dead4 ,!y _h f\nd %elt] on ano!r fi%+  

vessel t happ5$ to be ly+ at an*or n m  
?an two or ?ree miles away4  ,!re 0     
reason = our solicitude1 = we knew v    
well t a l>ge proportion ( ! m5 :o get  
adrift 9 ! fog are nev] f\nd alive4     
,%ortly be=e ?is exp]i5ce we _h spok5 a 
,gl\ce/] vessel & le>n$ t h] crew _h    
pick$ up1 a %ort "t be=e1 "o ( ! boats (
 a ,prov9cet[n s*oon] t _h be5 adrift   
f\r days4 ,"o ( ! two m5 0 dead & ! o!r 
insane4 ,ea* day br\ght its own dang]s1 
:i* ! fi%]m5 met z "p ( ! day's "w1 ?9k+
 little ( !m :5 !y 7 pa/1 & ready =     
:atev] ano!r day might br+4  ,b f\r     
mon?s is a long "t to be out ( sight (  
l&1 on a fre% fi% & salt hoss diet1 )   
molasses in/ead ( sug> 9 y\r tea1 & fre%
 wat] too mu* ne$$ = dr9k+ purposes to  
wa/e 9 p]sonal ablutions4 ,we all swore 
t we w\ld nev] g to sea aga92 & :51 aft]
 glid+ into h>bor 9 ! night1 we look$1  
"o cle> ,septemb] morn+1 on ! seem+ly   
unnatural gre5 ( ! grass & trees ( ! old
 ,nor? ,%ore1 ,i said to myself1 ,?is is
 ,god's c\ntry1 if !re ev] 0 "o1 & ,i1 =

 "o1 w nev] get out ( sight ( x aga94   
,b ,i _h ta/$ fog & br9e1 & ! l&lubb]'s 
lot 0 too monoton\sly tame = me4 ,! next
 spr+ saw me on ! deck ( ! same s*oon]  
head$ = ! ,newf\ndl& ,banks1 ! home ( ! 
codfi% & ! fog4  ,a seaf>+ ance/ry & a  
boyhood sp5t )9 s\nd ( ! surf d\btless  
_h mu* to d ) my love ( ! salt wat]4 ,my
 gr&fa!r 0 "o ( six bro!rs :o 7 sea     
capta9s1 & our family _h clung to !     
,nor? ,%ore ( ,massa*usetts ,bay almo/  
s9ce ! fir/ :ite settl] _h moor$ 8 b>k 9
 t vic9ity1 m ?an two hundr$ ye>s be=e4 
,my boyhood home 0 orig9ally a fi%+ t[n1
 s9ce *ang$ to manufactur+1 & 0 fragrant
 ) traditions ( ! sea4 ,_m ( !          
neighborhood homes 9 :i* ,i visit$ z a  
boy _h s\v5irs ( ! ocean display$ on !  
mantelpiece or on ! ev]la/+ solitude ( !
 p>lor table4 ,!re 7 great con* %ells t 
a boy c\ld put to 8 e> & he> ! surf ro>+
 on ! bea*es f :i* !y _h be5 tak52      
articles made ( s&alwood2 curi\sly      
wr\ght ?+s "u glass2 m9iature pagodas2  
silk sc>fs2 b[-legg$ idols2 & a wond]ful

 model ( ! good %ip ,dolph91 or ( "s o!r
 equally /aun* craft1 9 :i* ! breadw9n]1
 fa!r or son1 _h sail$ on "s ev5tful    
voyage4 ,^! _h all be5 br\ght f ov] sea1
 ,i 0 told1 & ?is gave me ! impression t
 ov] sea mu/ be a v ri* & int]e/+ place4
  ,b ! s\v5irs ( ! sea 7 n z int]e/+ to 
me z its survivors4 ,we _h 9 our t[n1 & 
especially 9 our end ( x1 :i* 0 call$ ! 
,cove1 a *oice assortm5t ( old sea dogs 
:o _h sail$ e sea1 9 e clime--_h se5 !  
_w1 9 fact1 & 7 n av]se1 "u ! /imulus ( 
good li/5]s1 to tell+ all !y knew ab\t x
 & sometimes a little m4  ,scatt]$ ?r\gh
 ! ,cove 7 _m little %oemak]s' %ops1    
into :i*1 especially 9 ! long w9t]      
ev5+s1 ^! old salts w\ld drift4 ,!re    
ar\nd ! little cyl9d] /ove1 ) its       
lea!r-*ip fire1 leak+ a fragrance !     
memory ( :i* makes me homesick z ,i     
write ab\t x1 !y w\ld swap _! /ories ( !
 sea1 _m ( :i* _h orig9ally be5 bas$ on 
fact4  ,^! old d]elicts--& "s ( ! y\ng] 
seaf>+ m5--7 bett] ?an dime novels to u 
boys1 = we c\ld always "q !m & draw out 

ano!r /ory4 ,"s ( !m 7 unconsci\s h]oes 
:o _h (t5 risk$ _! lives = _! comrades &
 ! vessel own]s2 & = ! support & com=t (
 _! families no dang]s or h>d%ips _h    
seem$ too great to be und]tak5 or       
endur$4 ,we boys held ^! old salts 9    
high e/eem1 & nev] =got to give to ea* 8
 appropriate title ( ,capta9 or ,skipp]1
 z ! case might be4 ,we also            
occasionally _h "s fun ) !m4  ,we nev]  
?\ght ( any ( !m z bad m51 ?\gh "s ( !m1
 by _! own te/imony1 _h liv$ wild &     
reckless lives4 ,"o or two1 accord+ to  
p]si/5t rumor1 _h c>ri$ out c>goes (    
,new ,engl& rum & br\ght back %iploads (
 black ivory f ! ,we/ coa/ ( ,africa4 ,n
 a few ( !m 7 picturesquely pr(ane4 ,old
 ,skipp] ,tom ,b[man _h a v orig9al oa?1
 t5d]-ey$ ,satan6 :i* he mu/ h _h       
copyright$1 z he 0 ! only "o t ,i ev]   
he>d use x4 ,we boys w\ld sometimes bait
 him1 provok+ him to exasp]ation1 t we  
might he> x 9 all its orig9al =ce &     
f]vor4  ,illu/ration3 ,old ,salts ,are  
,m ,picturesque & ,companionable ,sp9n+ 

,y>ns ab\t ! ,/ove 9 a ,%oemak]'s ,%op  
?an :5 ,"o ,is ,oblig$ to ,live1 ,eat & 
,sleep ) ,!m  ,we knew 8 habits well4   
,he ek$ out a scanty su/5ance by fi%+ (f
 ! %ore & w\ld frequ5tly come 9 on ! ebb
 tide & leave 8 boat half way up ! bea*1
 go+ home to d9n] & return+ :5 ! flood  
tide _h ab\t rea*$ 8 boat1 to br+ x up  
to its moor+s4  ,s "o day we dug a honey
 pot by ! side ( 8 boat1 at ! v spot :]e
 we knew he w\ld approa* x1 cov]$ x ov] 
) dry seawe$ & ab\t ! "t he 0 due we 7  
ly+ out ( sight1 b )9 e>%ot1 beh9d !    
rocks4 ,he drift$ d[n1 at peace ) all ! 
_w1 w5t 9 ov] ! tops ( 8 rubb] boots1 & 
!n1 = "o blissful mom5t1 we _h our      
rew>d4  ,"s ( ^! old salts 7 s ?or\ghly 
salt$1 be+ dr5*$ ) ! br9e ( _m /ormy    
voyages1 t !y kept 9 good condition well
 beyond _! allott$ "t ( ?ree score ye>s 
& t54 ,"s 7 ( unc]ta9 age1 b 7 evid5tly 
well beyond ! c5tury m>k1 z prov$ by !  
aggregate "t consum$ on _! _m voyages1 !
 /ories ( :i* !y _h reit]at$ ) su*      
conv9c+ detail4  ,"o ( ^!1 ,capta9 ,sam 

,morris1 0 pati5tly /alk$ by ! boys     
?r\gh a long season ( y>n sp9n+1 c>eful 
tally be+ kept4 ,:5 ! tale 0 complete1 !
 boys clos$ 9 on him4  ,h[ old are y1   
,capta9 ,sam8  ,oh1 ,i dunno1 ,i a9't   
kep' c\nt4  ,are y sev5ty8  ,i swan6 ,i 
dunno4  ,well1 y 7 on ! ,old ,dove )    
,skipp] ,jimmie ,/one1 w]5't y8  ,s>t94 
,y 7 on ! ,con/itution1 :5 %e f\ght !   
,gu]ri]e1 w]5't y8  ,h[ c\ld he d5y x8  
,well1 w]5't y ) ,capta9 ,lovett on f\r 
( 8 ?ree-ye> trad+ voyages to ,au/ralia 
& ,*9a8  ,c\rse ,i 04  ,h[ ab\t ^? trips
 'r\nd ! ,horn1 on ! clipp] %ip ',m>y   
,jane' f '#di to '#ee8  ,i 0 ?>4 ,!y    
kept rel5tlessly on d[n ! li/1 & !n %[$ 
him ! tally4 ,all[+ = infancy1 an       
abbreviat$ boyhood on l&1 & ! "t !y _h  
kn[n him s9ce he _h quit ! sea1 he 0 "o 
hundr$ & ?irty-five ye>s old4 ,! %[+ did
 n disconc]t him1 h[ev]4 ,he 0 int]e/$1 
b he _h told ^? /ories s (t5 & _h come  
to believe ea* ( !m s implicitly t he   
c\ld n d\bt !m 9 ! aggregate4 ,he simply
 exclaim$3 ,well1 ,i'll be d>n$6 ,i feel

 l a "y *ap o' sixty4  ,b :ile "s ( ^!  
old sailors lik$ to sp9 y>ns & "s _h _! 
frailties1 !y 71 z a rule1 /rong        
*>act]s1 rugg$1 hone/1 c\rage\s1        
unselfi%--real m51 9 fact1 ^: /]l+      
qualities /ood out 9 /rong contra/ aga9/
 ! unreality ( _m timid & non-effective 
lives ab\t !m4 ,x 0 n _! romanc+1 b _!  
reality1 & ! a*iev+ p[] ( _! lives t    
appeal$ to me z a boy1 & ,i 0 drawn to !
 k9d ( life t _h help$ to produce su*   
m54  ,!n1 too1 ! ocean itself1 ) its    
imm5sity1 its my/]y1 its moods1 ! dang] 
9 x1 & ! man's "w 9 ma/]+ x1 0 almo/    
irresi/ibly attractive to me4  ,on      
graduat+ f high s*ool ,i decl9$ my      
fa!r's (f] to s5d me to college1 ?9k+ t 
! life ,i _h 9 view did n require a     
college education4 ,!n he made me a v   
attractive bus9ess proposition1 b x     
look$ to me l slav]y1 & :at ,i want$ mo/
 0 fre$om4 ,my fa!r & "m 7 bo?          
,*ri/ians1 b ,i _h become skeptical1    
pr(ane & reckless ( public op9ion4 ,i _h
 left home = a bo>d+ h\se 9 ! same t[n  

at eighte51 & at n9ete5 ,i _h slipp$ !  
moor+s & 0 head+ out to sea4            
,,adrift   ,my second trip to ! ,banks 0
 made 9 response to ! same k9d ( impulse
 z t :i* drives ! nomad out ( 8 w9t]    
qu>t]s 9 ! spr+time or br+s ! wild geese
 back to _! summ] fe$+ gr\nds4 ,to "o :o
 really loves ! ocean1 ! return to x    
aft] a p]iod ( exile on ! l&1 is an     
indescribable satisfaction4 ,!re 0 at   
lea/ "o ( our crew :o exp]i5c$ ?is      
emotion z our /aun* little craft turn$  
h] nose to ! blue wat]1 & ) all sail set
 & lee rail almo/ "u wat]1 leap$ away f 
! petty re/rictions ( ! %ore into !     
practically limitless expanse ( !       
,atlantic4 ,9 a week we 7 on ! fi%+     
gr\nd & s5tim5t gave way to bus9ess4    
,our s*oon] 0 a trawl]1 equipp$ ) six   
dories & a crew ( fifte51 includ+ !     
skipp]1 ! cook1 ! boy & two m5 = ea*    
boat4 ,ea* trawl _h a ?\s& hooks1 a     
/rong gr\nd l9e six ?\s& feet long1 ) a 
small] l9e two & a half feet 9 l5g?1 )  
hook atta*$1 at e fa?om4 ,^! hooks 7    

bait$ & ! trawl 0 set ea* night4 ,! six 
trawls /ret*$ away f ! vessel l ! spokes
 f ! hub ( a :eel1 ! buoy m>k+ ! out]   
an*or ( ea* trawl be+ ov] a mile away4  
,i 0 capta9 ( a dory ?is ye>1 pass+ z a 
season$ fi%]man ) my exp]i5ce ( ! ye>   
be=e4 ,my help] or b[-man 0 ,john       
,hogan1 a "y ,iri%man ab\t my own age1  
r$-head$1 b gre5 at ! fi%+ bus9ess4     
,john's "m kept a little oasis = ?ir/y  
neighbors1 9 a city adjac5t to my home  
t[n1 & 8 fa!r 0 a man ( un/eady habits4 
,b ,john 0 a good fell[1 active & will+1
 &1 ?\gh he _h n inh]it$ a rugg$        
con/itution1 he c\ld pull a good /eady  
/roke4  ,soon aft] we rea*$ ! ,banks1 a 
/orm swept our decks & ne>ly c>ri$ away 
our boats4 ,z a result1 ! dories1       
p>ticul>ly my own1 7 sev]ely /ra9$ &    
leak$ badly4 ,= two weeks1 h[ev]1 we _h 
no fog1 b on ! morn+ ( ! second ( ,june1
 j z we w5t ov] ! s*oon]'s side & %ap$  
our c\rse = our out] buoy1 a bank ( fog 
) an edge z p]p5dicul> z ! side ( a h\se
 mov$ d[n on u l a great glaci]1 ?\gh   

mu* m rapidly1 %utt+ u 9 & ev]y?+ else  
out f sight4 ,x 0 ugly & ?ick1 z if all 
! fog factories f ,gr& ,manan to        
,labrador _h be5 work+ ov]time = ! two  
weeks be=e & _h s5t _! :ole output 9 "o 
consignm5t4 ,we _h j pass$ our inn] buoy
 :5 ! fog /ruck u1 b we kept on = ! out]
 buoy1 z 0 cu/om>y 9 foggy wea!r1 s9ce x
 0 saf] to get t & pull 9 t[>d ! vessel1
 r ?an take ! inn] buoy1 pull out1 & f9d
 ourselves ) a boatload ( fi% & ugly    
wea!r ov] a mile f ! vessel4 ,we _h our 
be>+s1 ,i _h (t5 f\nd ! buoy 9 ! fog &  
believ$ t we c\ld d x aga94 ,we kept on 
r[+ & knew :5 we _h r[$ f> en\gh1 ?\gh  
we _h n c\nt$ ! /rokes2 b we f\nd no?+4 
,guess we h drift$ too f> to leew>d2    
pull up to w9dw>d a little4 ,t's /range1
 we mu/ h pass$ x1 ?is blam$ fog is s   
?ick4 ,:at's t ov] !re8 ,we zigzagg$    
back & =? = "s "t & !n realiz$ t we _h  
miss$ x & mu/ g back to ! vessel & get  
our inn] buoy4 ,?is seem$ easy1 b we    
f\nd t x is z important to h a po9t (   
dep>ture z x is to h a de/9ation1 & n   

kn[+ j :]e we 7 we c\ld n head our boat 
to :]e ! vessel 04 ,we %\t$1 & li/5$1   
r[$ ?is way & t way b n a s\nd came to u
 ?r\gh ! fog1 al?\gh we knew t ! boy mu/
 be at 8 po/ r++ ! bell1 s t ! boats    
c\ld h>k _! way back to ! vessel4 ,i    
le>n$ aft]w>d t ! tide t morn+ 0        
exceptionally /rong4 ,i _h not$ its     
direction & made all[ance = x1 be=e     
leav+ ! s*oon]1 b we 7 :]e ! ,gulf      
,/ream & ! ,arctic ,curr5t are n v f>   
ap>t & ! result+ tides are /rong &      
*angeable4 ,we 7 9 ! grip ( two great   
elem5tal & rel5tless =ces1 ! imp5etrable
 fog1 cutt+ (f all our communications1 &
 ! /rong ocean curr5t sweep+ u away into
 ! un9habit$ wa/e ( wat]s4 ,f my        
exp]i5ce ( ! ye> be=e1 ,i knew :at x    
meant to be lo/ 9 ! fog on ! ,banks1    
practically 9 mid-ocean2 ,i und]/ood t  
if ! fog la/$ = a week or t5 days z x   
sometimes did1 especially at t season ( 
! ye>1 x 0 a fight = our lives4 ,i soon 
realiz$ t we 7 lo/ & t ! fight 0 on4    
,we 7 c]ta9ly /ripp$ = x1 )\t imp$im5ta1

 no an*or1 compass1 provisions1 wat]1 no
 means ( cat*+ fi% or f[l1 & ) r light  
clo?+1 z we 7 dress$ = "w & n =         
protection aga9/ cold4 ,b y\? is        
optimi/ic & claims :at is com+ to x1 ) a
 m>g9 = luck1 & we />t$ on our new      
voyage ( discov]y ) good c\rage & a     
*e]ful disreg>d ( ! h>d%ips1 dang]s &   
possible dea? 9 ! fog1 ) :i* & into :i* 
we 7 drift+4  ,x w\ld n be /rictly      
accurate to say t we saw no?+ dur+ all !
 "t we 7 adrift1 b ! ?+s we saw 7 ( !   
same /uff t ! fog 0 made (4 ,e>ly 9 !   
fir/ day ,i saw a sail dimly outl9$ 9 ! 
mi/y air4 ,i call$ ,john's att5tion to x
 ) a %\t1 & he saw x too1 b1 z we r[$   
t[>d x1 ! sail retreat$ & !n disappe>$4 
,we ?\ght t ?is 0 /range1 = ! w9d 0 n   
/rong en\gh to take a vessel away f u   
fa/] ?an we c\ld r[1 & we 7 ne> en\gh to
 make ourselves he>d4 ,soon1 ! sail     
appe>$ aga91 & aga9 we %\t$ & r[$ t[>d  
x1 & aga9 x glid$ away f u & disappe>$1 
& aga91 & aga91 ?r\gh ! seem+ly endless 
procession ( ! sl[-mov+ h\rs ( t fir/   

day1 we *as$ ! phantom %ip4  ,:5 night  
came on1 !re came ) x a deep5+ s5se (   
lonel9ess & isolation4 ,! night 0 also v
 cold1 ! *ill p5etrat$ our ?9 clo?+1 &  
we 7 compell$ to r[ ! boat to keep      
ourselves1 n w>m1 b a little less cold4 
,! iceb]gs com+ d[n on ! ,arctic ,curr5t
 hold ! season back1 & e>ly ,june on !  
,banks is mu* l ,april on !             
,massa*usetts coa/4 ,we tri$ to sleep   
ly+ d[n 9 ! bottom ( ! boat ) our heads 
9 a trawl tub1 b we 7 /iff ) cold1 !    
boat leak$ badly1 & x 0 necess>y to get 
up frequ5tly & bail out ! wat]4 ,! ?\ght
 also t we might drift )9 sight or s\nd 
( a vessel1 or )9 sight ( a trawl buoy1 
made u afraid to sleep4  ,! night f9ally
 wore away1 ! second day & night 7 l !  
fir/1 ! ?ird l ! fir/ & second & ! f\r? 
day l ano!r cycle ( ,ca?ay4 ,^! f\r days
 & nights 7 l solit>y conf9em5t to !    
prison]1 ! grim monotony & lack (       
incid5t contribut+ to ! cumulative      
effect & acc5tuat+ ! s5se ( helplessness
 & isolation4 ,!re 0 no?+ to relieve !  

situation4 ,we 7 l an army ly+ 9 tr5*es 
9 ! face ( ! enemy1 wait+ = ! enemy's   
move4  ,! f\r? night we 7 />tl$ by !    
s\nd ( ! fog horn ( a sail+ vessel4 ,!  
w9d 0 bl[+ almo/ a gale4 ,we li/5$ to   
get ! direction1 !n sprang to ! o>s &   
r[$ h>d to int]cept h]1 %\t+1 li/5+1 r[+
 ) all our /r5g?1 & will+1 if ne$ be1 to
 be run d[n1 9 ! *ance ( be+ se5 &      
rescu$4 ,! horn f9ally s\nd$ s ne> t x  
seem$ t we c\ld almo/ see ! vessel1 & we
 felt sure t !y c\ld he> our call4 ,b   
our he>ts sank z ! s\nds grew fa9t] &   
soon we 7 alone aga9 ) ! w9d & fog4 ,!  
fif? day we he>d ! :i/le ( an ocean     
/eam%ip4 ,we c surely head ?is "o (f1 we
 ?\ght1 b %e quickly pass$ u1 too f>    
away to see or he>4 ,x 0 a bitt]        
disappo9tm5t z ?is float+ hotel1 full ( 
w>m?1 food1 wat]1 %elt] & companion%ip1 
= ! lack ( ea* & all ( :i* we 7 p]i%+1  
ru%$ by1 s ne>1 yet unconsci\s & unhe$+1
 9 too great a hurry to /op & li/5 to   
our cry = help4 ,i h ?\ght ( ?is s9ce1 z
 ,i h hurri$ along ) ! cr[d 9 ! /reet ( 

a great city & wond]$1 if we /opp$ to   
li/51 :at cry might come to u out ( !   
deep4  ,! fif? night ! sea 0 runn+ high4
 ,we 7 drift+ ) a trawl tub fa/5$ to !  
pa9t] z a drag to keep ! boat head$ to !
 w9d1 :5 x began to ra94 ,i spread my   
oil jacket to cat* ! wat]1 & we wait$   
until we c\ld collect en\gh = a dr9k1   
wat*+ ! drops eag]ly1 z we _h ta/$ nei!r
 food nor wat] s9ce leav+ ! vessel five 
days be=e4 ,j z we 7 ab\t to dr9k1      
h[ev]1 our boat %ipp$ a sea1 fill+ ! oil
 jacket ) salt wat]1 & !re 0 no m ra94  
,e day we pass$ great flocks ( sea f[l  
float+ on ! wat]1 com+ frequ5tly almo/  
)9 an o>'s l5g?1 b always j out ( rea*4 
,we 7 9 worse condition ?an ! ,anci5t   
,m>9]1 ) food z well z wat] ev]y:]e ab\t
 u1 & n a morsel or a drop to eat or    
dr9k4 ,?ir/ is h>d] to endure ?an hung]1
 & yet hung] f9ally wakes up ! wolf2 & !
 "t comes :5 ev5 ! ?\ght ( cannibalism c
 be ent]ta9$ )\t horror4 ,ab\t ?is "t   
,john ask$ me1 ,well1 :at d y ?9k8  ,oh1
 ,i said1 ,i ?9k t "o ( u w come out ( x

 all "r4  ,he />t$1 z if he ?\ght t ,i  
_h premature designs on him4  ,y ne$ n  
be afraid1 ,i said1 ,i'll n take        
advantage ( y4  ,he knew t ,i 0 ! /rong]
 & p]haps ?\ght t if ,i felt z he did1 8
 *ances 7 v small4  ,! six? day1 ,john  
seem$ l a man ov]:elm$ ) ! horror ( a   
situation t _h gott5 beyond 8 control4  
,he c[]$ at ! opposite end ( ! boat & _h
 said no?+ = a long "t4 ,f9ally he op5$ 
a conv]sation ) a p]son ( ^: pres5ce ,i 
_h n be5 consci\s4  ,jim1 he said1 come1
 give me a piece4  ,jim :o8 ,i ask$4    
,piece ( :at8 ,:]e is he8  ,jim         
,woodbury1 he answ]$1 don't y see him8  
,!re he is1 hid+ "u t oil jacket4 ,he's 
be5 !re ov] half an h\r1 eat+ pie1 & he 
won't give me any4  ,i tri$ to laugh him
 out ( 8 delusion1 b ! ?+ 0 real to him4
 ,soon he jump$ up & said3 ,i'm go+ on  
bo>d2 ,i'm tir$ ( /ay+ out "h4  ,h[ w y 
get !re8 ,i ask$4  ,walk1 he answ]$1 !  
wat] a9't deep1 & he />t$ to get        
ov]bo>d4  ,i caught him & pull$ him back
 into ! boat1 n any too soon1 = if he _h

 gone ov]bo>d1 ! %>ks w\ld probably h   
gott5 him1 = !y 7 n v f> away4 ,e n[ &  
!n ,i _h se5 _! f9s cutt+ ! surface ( ! 
wat]1 z !y patroll$ back & =?1 wait+ _! 
"t1 or ours1 z if !y knew t x 0 only a  
"q ( "t4 ,soon ,john />t$ aga9 to get   
ov]bo>d4 ,?is "t ,i puni%$ him s sev]ely
 t he did n try x aga94 ,aft] t1 ,i _h  
to keep my eye on him con/antly4 ,8     
rav+s ab\t food 7 n p>ticul>ly soo?+ to 
my feel+s1 = ,i 0 z hungry z he1 only n 
s demon/rative ab\t x4  ,! sev5? day    
drift$ sl[ly by & ! fog /ill held u     
captive4 ,= a week we _h _h no food1 no 
wat]1 & sc>cely any sleep2 hav+ our     
boots on cont9u\sly /opp$ ! circulation 
9 our feet ) ! same effect z if !y _h   
be5 froz52 we 7 *ill$ to ! bone2 my boat
 mate 0 insane4 ,s9ce ! :i/le ( !       
/eam%ip _h di$ away 9 ! di/ance1 two    
days be=e1 no s\nd _h come to u out ( ! 
fog b ! voices ( ! w9d & ! swa% ( !     
waves4 ,i knew ! *>t ( ! ,banks & _h a  
g5]al idea z to :]e we 74 ,!re is a     
great b>r5 tract on ! ,banks :]e few fi%

 are f\nd & fi%]m5 seldom g1 & we _h    
drift$ into ?is man-=sak5 place4 ,i _h  
almo/ said ,god-=sak5 too1 b some?+     
began to %ape itself 9 my m9d ab\t t "t1
 t makes x difficult = me n[ to say ?is4
 ,r1 z ,i look back on our exp]i5ce1 ,i 
feel m l claim+ fell[%ip ) ! w&]] :o    
call$ ! place ( 8 h>d%ip ,be!l because x
 0 !re1 at ! end ( self & ( favor+      
conditions1 t he f\nd ,god4     ,,!     
,,pilot   ,i 0 ne> ! end ( my rope--,i 0
 n fright5$1 or disc\rag$2 my m9d 0     
p]fectly cle>2 ,i 0 n /amp$$4 ,( c\rse1 
,i _h ?\ght ( ,god & ( pray]1 b ,i 0 a  
skeptic1 z ,i suppos$1 & consid]$ bo? n 
prov54 ,b ! /eady contemplation ( !     
probability ( dea?1 = sev5 successive   
days1 "u conditions t compell$ c&or1    
rais$ que/ions t skepticism c\ld n      
answ]1 & gave to my que/ions answ]s t   
skepticism c\ld n refute4 ,!re comes a  
"t1 "u su* conditions1 :5 common s5se   
ass]ts itself & sophi/ry fails to       
satisfy4 ,s9ce ,i made ?is discov]y 9 my
 p]sonal exp]i5ce1 ,i h le>n$ t my case 

0 n peculi>1 b 9 keep+ ) a g5]al law 9  
human exp]i5ce1 long und]/ood &         
admirably /at$ 9 ! #ajg? ,psalm4 ,su*   
words z ^! h come out ( ! dep?s & x is  
sometimes necess>y to g d[n into ! dep?s
 to prove !m to be true4  ,!y w&]$4444 9
 a solit>y way2 !y f\nd no city to dwell
 94 ,hungry & ?ir/y1 _! s\l fa9t$ 9 !m4 
,!n !y cri$ unto ! ,"l 9 _! tr\ble1 & he
 deliv]$ !m out ( _! di/resses1 & he l$ 
!m =? by ! "r way1 t !y might g to a    
city ( habitation4444 ,su* z sit 9      
d>kness & 9 ! %ad[ ( dea?1 be+ b\nd 9   
affliction & iron2 because !y rebell$   
aga9/ ! words ( ,god1 & contemn$ !      
c\nsel ( ! ,mo/ ,high3 !re=e he br\ght  
d[n _! he>t ) labor2 !y fell d[n & !re 0
 none to help4 ,!n !y cri$ unto ! ,"l 9 
_! tr\ble1 & he sav$ !m out ( _!        
di/resses4 ,he br\ght !m out ( d>kness &
 ! %ad[ ( dea?1 & brake _! b&s 9        
sund]44444 ,!y t g d[n to ! sea 9 %ips1 
t d bus9ess 9 great wat]s2 ^! see !     
works ( ! ,"l1 & 8 wond]s 9 ! deep4 ,=  
he comm&e?1 & raise? ! /ormy w9d1 :i*   

lifte? up ! waves !re(4 ,!y m\nt up to !
 heav51 !y g d[n aga9 to ! dep?s3 _! s\l
 is melt$ because ( tr\ble444 !y are at 
_! wits' end4 ,!n !y cry unto ! ,"l 9 _!
 tr\ble1 & he br+e? !m out ( _!         
di/resses4 ,he make? ! /orm a calm1 s t 
! waves !re( are /ill4 ,!n are !y glad  
because !y be quiet2 s he br+e? !m unto 
_! desir$ hav54  ,i _h drift$ into !    
secret place1 ! door 0 %ut1 & x 0 ! "r  
"t & place = me to pray4 ,i saw t my    
life _h be5 a failure1 t ,i 0 absolutely
 wor?less1 & t1 if dea? came !n1 !re 0 n
 "o good ?+ t ,i _h ev] done t w\ld     
survive4 ,9 fact1 ,i c\ld ?9k ( no?+ 9  
my life t 0 wor? rememb]+4 ,i 0 n s mu* 
conc]n$ ab\t my own salvation z = ano!r 
*ance to live & to d an unselfi% "w 9 ! 
_w4 ,& s ,i did :at ,i ?\ght !n 7& ?9k  
/ill7 0 ! only sane ?+ to d1 ,i signal$ 
= ! ,pilot4  ,t night ! ra9 came4 ,i    
spread my oil jacket & caught an        
abundance ( wat] ( :i* we drank deeply4 
,) ?is refre%m5t came new hope & new    
c\rage = ! f9al /ruggle1 if safety c\ld 

be ga9$ t way4 ,i review$ ! situation & 
consid]$ "o by "o ! possible c\rses we  
might take4 ,we seem$ to be %ut 9 to    
?ree ?+s4 ,! fir/ possibility 0 to r[ to
 l&2 b ! ne>e/ l&1 ! ,newf\ndl& coa/1 0 
ne>ly ?ree hundr$ miles away1 & ,i      
decid$ t we did n h ! "t or ! /r5g? to  
rea* x4 ,! second possibility 0 to be   
pick$ up by a pass+ vessel2 b ?is did n 
look enc\rag+1 = two _h already pass$ u4
 ,! ?ird & la/ hope 0 to f9d a fi%+     
vessel at an*or1 & )9 a reasonable      
di/ance4 ,?is la/ possibility seem$     
almo/ probable4 ,b h[ probable8         
,possibly )9 t5 miles1 probably )9      
tw5ty-five1 c]ta9ly )9 fifty1 "s fi%]m5 
7 ply+ _! trade1 b :]e8 ,!re are        
?irty-two po9ts ( ! compass1 & by       
deviat+ "o po9t at ! c5t]1 a di/ance (  
fifty miles w\ld br+ u t5 miles out ( ! 
way at ! circumf]5ce4 ,we c\ld r[ fifty 
miles1 b we _c take *ances4 ,yet !re is 
a snug little fi%+ craft out !re on !   
rim ( ! circle1 wait+ = u to f9d h]6 ,b 
:i* way %all we g8 ,i f9ally decid$ t   

?is 0 a problem = ! ,pilot1 & ,i left x 
) ,him1 satisfi$ t ,he und]/ood ,8      
bus9ess & t if ,he _h any ord]s = me1   
,he knew h[ to communicate !m4  ,! eigh?
 day came1 & ) x came an impulse to r[ !
 boat 9 a c]ta9 direction4 ,?is impulse 
0 n unlike ! ?\s&s t _h come to me be=e4
 ,!re 0 no?+ ab\t x to indicate t its   
s\rce 0 any high] ?an my own imag9ation4
 ,if ?is 0 a voice f above ! fog1 x 0   
c]ta9ly a /ill1 small "o4 ,x 0 unhe$$ at
 fir/1 n unrecogniz$4 ,reason said t to 
cons]ve our /r5g? we %\ld sit /ill &    
wait = ! lift+ ( ! fog4 ,fe> :isp]$ t if
 ,i obey$ ! impulse1 we might be r[+    
directly away f safety4 ,b ! impulse    
p]si/$ & prevail$4  ,get up1 ,john1 ,i  
said1 we h a day's "w ahead ( u4 ,we are
 go+ to r[ (f 9 ?is direction4  ,john   
respond$ automatically1 fe> act+ 9 place
 ( reason1 b he 0 soon exhau/$ & lay d[n
 aga94 ,i kept on1 h[ev]1 re/+ n[ & !n1 
& return+ to ! o>s ) ! ?\ght t fifty    
miles 0 a long di/ance & t we _h a v    
small m>g9 ( "t to our cr$it4 ,our c\rse

 0 ) ! w9d1 & nature work$ ) u all t    
eigh? day & on into ! night1 z !        
pressure on me drove u t[>d our goal4   
,ab\t ! middle ( ! eigh? night ,i       
realiz$ t ,i _h rea*$ ! limit ( my      
fight+ /r5g?4 ,john 0 9 worse condition 
?an ,i1 = ,i /ill _h hope1 b my hope 0 n
 9 myself4 ,!n ,i talk$ ! situation ov] 
) ! ,pilot4 ,we _h n[h]e else to g2 we  
_h come z f> z we c\ld2 our "t 0 ne>ly  
up--:at ( ! night8 & :at ( ! morn+8     
,john 0 asleep2 ! _w 0 a long way (f3 ! 
sea & ! mi/ seem$ to h roll$ ov] u & to 
h buri$ u t5 ?\s& fa?oms deep4 ,b out ( 
! dep?s ,i cri$1 & ,i f\nd !            
communication op54  ,betwe5 midnight &  
dawn ! fog lift$ & f ! ov]hang+ cl\ds ! 
ra9 fell g5tly ?r\gh ! rema9d] ( !      
night4 ,john lay 9 8 end ( ! boat1 b ,i 
sat wat*+4 ,f9ally1 z if 9 response to  
"s secret signal1 ! d>kness began its   
inevitable retreat &1 z ! night horizon 
rec$$1 out ( ! gray ( ! morn+1 gr[+ m & 
m di/9ct z ! %ad[s fell away1 appe>$ a  
d>k object less ?an two miles di/ant1   

nebul\s at fir/1 !n unmi/akable 9 its   
"*4 ,x 0 a solit>y fi%+ vessel ly+ at   
an*or1 t[>d :i* we _h be5 r[+ & drift+  
un]r+ly all ?r\gh ! night & ! day be=e4 
,!re x 06 only a clumsy old fi%]man1 b x
 0 ! be/ ?+ 9 all ! _w to u1 & x 0      
an*or$ & c\ld n get away6  ,i d n recall
 ! exp]i5ce ( any tumultu\s emotion z   
?is mess5g] ( hope appe>$ on our        
horizon1 b we knew t we 7 safe4 ,h[ easy
 x is to write ?is simple ^w ( f\r      
lett]s6 b1 to realize x1 "o mu/ h a     
backgr\nd ( despair4 ,s9ce t morn+1 !   
words safe1 safety1 salvation1 h always 
come to me freight$ ) reality4  ,x is   
d\btful if any ( ! vessel's crew _h se5 
our boat1 z x 0 sc>cely daylight & su* a
 small object ly+ close to ! wat] w\ld n
 be readily disc]nible4 ,i _h ?\ght1 a  
few h\rs be=e1 t my /r5g? 0 entirely    
exhau/$1 b ! sight ( ! vessel call$ out 
a res]ve suffici5t = ! f9al ef=t4  ,z ,i
 sl[ly br\ght our boat alongside1 "s ( !
 crew 7 9 evid5ce1 gett+ ready = _!     
day's "w1 & !y seem$ p]plex$ to acc\nt =

 our e>ly morn+ call4 ,b1 :5 we came    
close to ! vessel1 our emaciat$         
appe>ance evid5tly told ! ma9 outl9es ( 
our /ory4 ,!y call$ to ! o!rs 9 a =eign 
tongue & ! :ole crew cr[d$ to ! rail4   
,"o /rong fell[ jump$ into our boat &   
lift$ ,john up :ile o!rs rea*$ d[n to   
help4 ,!n1 ) _! assi/ance1 ,i tumbl$ on 
bo>d1 /iff ) cold & ) feet l /one4 ,!y  
gave u br&y & took u to ! w>m cab9 :]e  
breakfa/ 0 be+ prep>$ & x is difficult  
to say :i* 0 m grateful1 ! smell ( food 
or ! w>m? ( ! fire4 ,john 0 put into !  
capta9's bunk4 ,x 0 a good ex*ange = he 
0 n f> f ,davy ,jones' lock]4 ,we _h be5
 on bo>d only a few h\rs :5 ! fog roll$ 
back aga9 & cont9u$ = "s "t aft]w>d4  ,!
 vessel 0 a ,fr5* fi%+ brig f ! isl& (  
,/4 ,malo 9 ! ,engli% ,*annel4 ,none ( !
 crew und]/ood ,engli% & nei!r ( u c\ld 
speak ,fr5*1 b !y und]/ood ! language ( 
di/ress & k9dness ne$s no int]pret]4 ,! 
capta9 %[$ me a cal5d> & po9t$ to ! t5? 
( ,june1 & :5 ,i po9t$ to ! second he   
evid5tly f\nd x h>d to believe me1 b    

,john's condition help$ to corroborate  
my /atem5t4 ,!y let u eat z mu* z we    
wi%$1 b nature protect$ u1 = ! process (
 eat+ 0 s pa9ful at fir/ t ,i felt l a  
sword swall[] :o _h p>tak5 too freely ( 
8 favorite di%4 ,=tunately1 also1 our   
ho/s 7 liv+ ! simple life4 ,_! m5u      
consi/$ *iefly ( slic$ bread ov] :i* _h 
be5 p\r$ ! bro? ( fi% cook$ 9 wat] &    
light w9e1 ! same fi% cook$ 9 oil z a   
second c\rse1 bread & h>dtack1 & an     
occasional di% ( beans1 :i* seem$ to be 
reg>d$ by !m z a luxury4 ,!y _h an      
abundance ( be] & light w9e & 9 ! morn+ 
be=e go+ to haul _! trawls1 c(fee 0 s]v$
 ) br&y4 ,cook+ 0 done on a brick       
plat=m1 or fireplace1 9 ! cab91 & !     
capta91 ! mate & all h&s sat ar\nd "o   
l>ge di% plac$ on ! cab9 floor & ea*    
help$ himself ) 8 own spoon4 ,a loaf (  
bread 0 pass$ ar\nd1 ea* cutt+ (f a     
slice ) 8 own %ea? knife4 ,b not)/&+    
simple food1 frugal meals & primitive   
conditions1 ! hospitality 0 g5u9e &     
aga9/ ! backgr\nd ( our rec5t hung]1    

?ir/ & g5]al wret*$ness1 ! place 0 heav5
 & our ho/s 7 angels 9 ?9 disguise4  ,9 
ab\t t5 days we 7 br\ght into ,/4       
,pi]re1 ! ,fr5* fi%+ t[n on ! small     
rocky isl& ( ,miquelon1 (f ! ,newf\ndl& 
coa/1 ! depot ( ! ,fr5* fi%+ fleet & !  
only rema9+ foo?old = ! ,fr5* ( ! va/   
empire once held by !m betwe5 ! ,nor?   
,atlantic & ! ,mississippi ,valley4 ,!  
,am]ican consul took u 9 *>ge1 s5d+ u to
 a sailors' bo>d+ h\se & giv+ ea* ( u a 
*ange ( clo?+4 ,9 ano!r week we 7 s5t on
 by /eam] to ,halifax1 consign$ to !    
,am]ican consul at t port4 ,!re ,john's 
feet prov$ to be 9 su* bad condition t x
 0 necess>y to s5d him to ! hospital1 &1
 z gangr5e _h set 91 a portion ( ea*    
foot 0 amputat$4 ,he 0 que] = sev]al    
weeks1 b1 ) return+ physical heal?1     
gradually recov]$ 8 m5tal equilibrium4  
,aft] a few days 9 ,halifax1 ,i 0 s5t on
 by /eam] to ,bo/on1 br++ ! fir/ news ( 
ei!r our loss or our rescue4  ,on rea*+ 
my home t[n ,i did n g to a bo>d+ h\se2 
!re 0 pl5ty ( room = me 9 ! home & ,i 0 

cont5t$ to /ay !re = a :ile4 ,! old     
salts receiv$ me z a long-lo/ bro!r1 &  
:ile ! (ficial notice 0 nev] h&$ me1 ,i 
0 made to feel t some:]e 9 _! inn]      
consci\sness ,i _h be5 elect$ a regul>  
memb] ( ! ,amalgamat$ ,society ( ,sea   
,dogs1 & 0 entitl$ to an inside seat1 if
 ,i c\ld f9d "o1 ab\t ! /ove ( any      
%oemak]'s %op 9 ! ,cove4 ,! ,banks 7    
revisit$ 9 memory1 & all ! old fog      
exp]i5ces 7 br\ght out1 amplifi$ &      
elongat$ z f> z possible1 b x 0 conc$$ t
 we _h e/abli%$ a new record 9 !        
nautical traditions ( ! ,cove4 ,x took  
sev]al ye>s = me to in* my way back to  
physical solv5cy f ! effects ( my       
exposure1 & ?is delay$ ! c>ry+ out ( my 
plans1 to :i* my fi%+ trips _h be5 a    
prelude4  ,! /range ?+ t ,i n[ h to     
record is t ,i soon =got1 or willfully  
ignor$1 my :ole exp]i5ce ( ,god1 pray] &
 deliv]ance1 & became app>5tly m        
skeptical & indiff]5t ?an be=e4 ,! only 
way ,i c expla9 ?is is t ,i _h n become 
a ,*ri/ian1 & my dom9ant m5tal attitude 

reass]t$ itself :5 dang] 0 pa/4 ,i      
practically nev] att5d$ *ur*4 ,my       
position & influ5ce1 h[ev]1 7 n m]ely   
negative2 ,i 0 positively antagoni/ic to
 ,*ri/ianity1 & ?is attitude cont9u$ up 
to ! ,april foll[+4  ,illu/ration3 ,dave
 ,liv$ 9 a ,beautiful ,old ,place ,ne> !
 ,%ore & ,i ,_h ,be5 9 ! ,habit ( ,sp5d+
 ,_m ( ,my ,sundays ) ,him  ,b :ile ,i  
=got1 ,i 0 n =gott54 ,god _h begun a "w 
9 me1 ! cont9uation & completion ( :i*  
wait$ on my will+ness to coop]ate1 & !  
mo/ p[]ful =ce 9 ! _w1 t ( believ+ &    
p]si/5t pray]1 0 be+ releas$ 9 my       
behalf4 ,my "m 0 a woman ( rem>kable    
,*ri/ian "*1 ) r>e qualities ( m9d &    
he>t1 k & love ( ! ,scriptures1 & a deep
 & g5u9e pray] life4 ,not)/&+ my lack ( 
sympa?y ) h] 9 ! ?+s mo/ fundam5tal1 %e 
_h confid5ce t ! tide w\ld turn ) me4   
,h] confid5ce1 h[ev]1 0 n bas$ on me4   
,%e knew ! ,"l & und]/ood t x 0 n ! %eep
 t w5t out aft] ! ,%eph]d :o 0 lo/ until
 x f\nd ,him4 ,s %e kept a well-worn pa?
 to ! place ( pray]4  ,%e 0 wise & said 

little to me on ! subject1 b ,i knew h] 
life & :at x 0 = :i* %e 0 mo/ deeply    
solicit\s4 ,%e _h taught me f ! ,bible z
 a boy1 & _m a cold w9t] night1 ?\gh    
we>y ) a day fill$ ) h\sehold c>es1 %e  
_h come to my room & tuck$ me 9 ) pray]4
  ,my attitude t[>d ,*ri/ianity 9 ! w9t]
 foll[+ my second fi%+ trip on !        
,newf\ndl& ,banks 0 diff]5t f t ( ! ye> 
be=e4 ,!n ,i _h be5 a skeptic1 z ,i     
assum$1 & decl9$ responsibility = :at to
 me 0 unkn[n & seem$ to be unkn[able4   
,b1 9 ! meantime1 some?+ _h happ5$ t _h 
lift$ ?is :ole "q ) me f ! realm (      
speculation to t ( exp]i5ce4 ,! ,pilot's
 response to my signal might1 = ! "t1 be
 ignor$1 b x c\ld n be =gott54  ,b1 by  
delib]ately putt+ aside my convictions (
 ,god1 pray] & deliv]ance1 treat+ !m z  
if !y _h no exi/5ce 9 fact1 ,i _h       
introduc$ an elem5t ( di/ru/ ( my own   
m5tal processes4 ,! w _h tak5 ! place ( 
judgm5t1 & ! result 0 confusion2 ,i 0 9 
! fog4 ,i nev] att5d$ pray] meet+1 b "o 
,sunday night ,i 0 pass+ ! *apel :]e su*

 a meet+ 0 be+ held4 ,i _h be5 !re ) my 
"m1 z a boy1 & :ile ! meet+s 7 sl[1 !y 7
 p]vad$ ) a true devotional _s & a      
some?+ real1 ?\gh to me intangible &    
difficult to describe4  ,:e!r ,i 0      
influ5c$ by ! memory ( ^! boyhood       
glimpses into ! spiritual _w1 or by ! _s
 ( ! sc(f] & ! cynic possess+ me at t   
"t1 or by ! /ill small voice t _h po9t$ 
! way to safety only a few mon?s be=e1  
,i nev] fully knew1 b ,i w5t 94  ,! room
 0 fill$ ) p & a meet+ 0 9 progress1    
dur+ :i* two m51 old neighbors1 ^: lives
 ,i knew well1 told ! /ory ( _! rec5t   
conv]sion4 ,"o 0 ,skipp] ,&rew          
,woodbury1 a man ( blameless life1 b :o 
_h liv$ sixty-five ye>s )\t religion4 ,!
 o!r 0 my uncle by m>riage1 tw5ty ye>s  
my s5ior1 a close p]sonal fri5d &       
famili>ly call$ ,dave4 ,i _h be5 9 !    
habit ( sp5d+ _m ( my ,sundays ) him1 z 
he 0 a non-*ur* go]1 companionable1     
g5u9e & op5-he>t$ z ! day4 ,x 0 evid5t t
 he _h f\nd some?+ t he want$ to %>e ) 8
 fri5ds1 & :ile ,i made light ( x at !  

"t1 8 te/imony made a pr(\nd impression 
on me4  ,t[>d ! close ( ! meet+ ! lead] 
gave ! invitation to ^? :o want to      
become ,*ri/ians to rise4 ,no "o /ood   
up4 ,!n he came )9 clos] range & invit$ 
^? :o w\ld l to become ,*ri/ians1 b /ill
 no "o respond$4 ,i 0 becom+ int]e/$ & 0
 almo/ disappo9t$ :5 no "o answ]$ to ?is
 second invitation4 ,!n he put up !     
proposition to ^? :o h no objections to 
becom+ ,*ri/ians4 ,he w get a lot ( !m  
on ?is call1 ,i said to myself1 b to my 
surprise1 no "o /irr$4 ,well1 ,i ?\ght1 
?is is too bad1 b :y c\ldn't ,i help him
 out8 ,i h no objections to becom+ a    
,*ri/ian1 & ,i /ood up4 ,i slipp$ out ( 
! meet+ ahead ( ! cr[d1 b 9 my room t   
night be=e ,i w5t to b$1 ,i f\nd myself 
on my knees1 try+ to pray4 ,i did n     
succe$ v well4 ,oh1 :at's ! use8 ,i     
said1 !re's no?+ 9 x4 ,b ,i lay awake f>
 into ! night1 ?9k+1 feel+ ! beat+ ( my 
he>t1 wond]+ :at kept x go+ & :at if x  
%\ld /op sudd5ly8  ,b 9 less ?an a day  
^! impressions _h pass$4 ,i laugh$ !m (f

 & kept on 9 my own way4 ,= six weeks ,i
 /e]$ cle> ( ,dave1 b ,i did n want to  
lose 8 fri5d%ip1 & !n1 too1 ,i 0 r      
curi\s to f9d out :at1 if any?+1 he _h  
really discov]$4 ,s1 "o ,sunday morn+ 9 
e>ly ,april1 ,i drift$ d[n to 8 home1 z 
,i _h done s _m times be=e4 ,i /opp$ at 
my fa!r's h\se on ! way1 & aft] a %ort  
visit1 w5t on to ,dave's4 ,x 0 a        
pleasant morn+1 & ,i left my ov]coat at 
home1 z ,i _h b a %ort di/ance to g4    
,dave liv$ 9 a beautiful old f>mh\se ne>
 ! %ore1 ov]look+ ! h>bor1 & our ,sunday
 program _h be5 walk+ along ! bea*1 or  
sitt+ ar\nd ! h\se smok+1 eat+ apples1  
dr9k+ cid] & kill+ "t 9 ! mo/           
unconv5tional way possible4 ,x's too    
bad1 ,i ?\ght1 t ,dave has got religion1
 x spoils all our good times2 b ,i 0    
hop+ to f9d him less /r5u\s on ! subject
 ?an :5 ,i _h he>d him 9 ! *apel six    
weeks be=e4 ,b ,dave's conv]sion 0 s    
g5u9e & 8 en?usiasm s real t x 0        
impossible = me entirely to resi/ & beat
 back ! impact ( 8 te/imony4  ,i        

conceal$ my impressions1 h[ev]1 & told  
him t no d\bt he ne$$ x1 x 0 probably a 
good ?+ = him1 ,i w\ldn't say a ^w to   
disc\rage him1 b z = me1 ,i did n ne$ t 
k9d ( m$ic9e4 ,he urg$ me to g to *ur* )
 him1 b ,i decl9$ 8 invitation s        
positively t he did n r5ew x4 ,i'll walk
 along ) y z f> z ! corn]1 ,i said1 b :5
 we came to ! po9t ( p>t+ an impulse    
came to me to g ) him4 ,walk sl[1 ,dave1
 ,i said1 ,i'll g 9 & get my coat & g to
 *ur* ) y4 ,we 7 bo? surpris$1 he1      
because he _h giv5 up all hope ( my go+ 
) him1 & ,i1 because t5 seconds be=e ,i 
_h no ?\ght ( go+4 ,i h (t5 ?\ght ( x   
s9ce1 & nev] )\t a s5se ( pr(\nd        
?ankfulness = ! impulse t came to me t  
bright ,sunday morn+1 at ! p>t+ ( !     
ways4  ,i w5t ) ,dave to *ur* t morn+1  
came back & sp5t ! aft]noon ) him & w5t 
) him aga9 to ! ev5+ s]vice1 aft] :i* ,i
 rema9$ = p]sonal conv]sation4 ,dave _h 
exhau/$ 8 ammunition1 b ! man :o talk$ )
 me _h be5 practic+ ! ,*ri/ian life =   
tw5ty-five ye>s & 0 a man ( f9e         

p]sonality1 culture & bus9ess exp]i5ce4 
,he knew ! ,gospel & also knew human    
nature1 & m9e 9 p>ticul>1 :ile ,i knew t
 he 0 g5u9e4  ,*>lie1 he said1 don't y  
?9k x is "t = y to be a ,*ri/ian8  ,no1 
,i answ]$1 ,i c't be a hypocrite2 ,i c't
 pret5d to believe :at ,i don't believe4
  ,:at is !re t y c't believe8  ,well1  
!re is ! ,bible1 = in/ance4  ,don't y   
believe ! ,bible8  ,ab\t z ,i believe   
,rob9son ,crusoe4  ,d y ?9k ! tr\ble is 
) ! ,bible1 or ) y\rself8 ,don't y ?9k  
t1 if y _h fai?1 z a ,*ri/ian man1 !    
,bible w\ld be a diff]5t book to y8  ,t 
looks easy2 ( c\rse1 if ,i _h fai? ,i   
w\ld be j z y are4 ,b h[ c a man believe
 :at he does n believe8  ,did y ev] he> 
ab\t pray]8  ,yes1 ,i h he>d some?+ ab\t
 x4  ,don't y ?9k t !re is some?+ 9 x8  
,yes1 ,i am incl9$ to ?9k !re is4 7,i   
c\ld n hone/ly d5y x 9 ! light ( my     
exp]i5ce47  ,well1 don't y ?9k t if y 7 
to pray to ,god = fai?1 ,god w\ld give x
 to y8  ,?is "q t\*$ ! spr+ ( memory1 & 
consci5ce %[$ me :at x ?\ght ( me4 ,i 0 

a%am$ ( my littl5ess & ( my unsci5tific 
attitude ( m9d 9 wilfully ignor+ !      
greate/ facts ( my exp]i5ce1 & ,i 0 also
 a%am$ ( my +ratitude4 ,& s1 9 an       
ungu>d$ mom5t1 t is1 9 a mom5t :5 my w 0
 (f its gu>d & my judgm5t ass]t$ its "r 
to be he>d1 ,i gave my answ] to ! "q & !
 answ] 01 ,yes1 ,i believe t ,he w\ld4  
,& !n came ! "q1 ,won't y d x8 ,?is "q  
precipitat$ ! fight ( my life4 ,i d n   
rememb] h[ long my fri5d wait$ = my     
answ]1 b judg+ f ! /ruggle 9 my m9d1 x  
mu/ h be5 a long "t4 ,:at w\ld x mean = 
me to answ] ?is "q 9 ! affirmative8     
,fir/1 x w\ld mean ! sacrifice ( my     
indep5d5ce2 next1 x w\ld mean fell[%ip )
 a lot ( s-call$ ,*ri/ians1 ^:          
,*ri/ianity 0 n ( a manly type2 ?ird1 x 
w\ld mean a /ep 9 ! d>k1 & ?is seem$ to 
me to be unreasonable4 ,on ! o!r h&1 x  
might mean ! w9n+ ( some?+ bett] ?an t  
:i* ,i call$ indep5d5ce2 x might also   
mean fell[%ip ) ! really great *>act]s (
 ! ,*ri/ian ,*ur*1 & ^! m5 _h always    
appe>$ v attractive to me4 ,) ?is la/   

?\ght came ! "q1 ,h[ did ^! m5 live !   
victori\s life8 & x 0 cle> to me t !y   
liv$ x by fai?4 ,!n came ! ?\ght1 ,h[   
did !y beg9 to h fai?8 & x seem$ to me t
 ?is /ep 9 ! d>k1 :i* ,i hesitat$ to    
take1 0 probably ! v /ep by :i* ^! great
 m5 _h pass$ f a life ( unbelief to _!  
victory ( fai?4  ,?is la/ ?\ght came z a
 revelation4 ,x _h always seem$ to me t 
fai? 0 an exp]i5ce ( ! emotions or a    
satisfy+ ( ! intellect1 & t "o might    
obta9 fai? by ! initiative ( ! w 0 a new
 idea to me4 ,if ?is 0 true1 ! /ep 9 !  
d>k 0 n unreasonable b sci5tific &      
psy*ological4 ,i 0 c]ta9ly 9 ! d>k !n4  
,x c\ld be no d>k] if ,i w5t =w>d 9 !   
pa? to :i* my fri5d invit$ me4 ,i decid$
 !re=e to take ! /ep & to pray = fai?1  
hop+ t 9 ! process ,i %\ld f9d a        
,*ri/ian exp]i5ce4 ,& s ,i answ]$1 ,yes1
 ,i'll d x4  ,my fri5d pray$ ) me & !n  
,i pray$1 b all t ,i c\ld say 0 ,"l1 %[ 
me ! way4 ,i 0 n consci\s ( any special 
int]e/1 ,i _h simply will$ to pray &    
want$ to believe4 ,i _h won ! fight )   

myself1 h[ev]1 to ! ext5t ( gett+ !     
cons5t ( my w to pray & to tru/1 b ,i   
realiz$ t ! battle ) myself 0 only begun
 & ,i knew also t ,i _h ano!r fight     
ahead ( me1 or a s]ies ( !m1 ) !        
conditions t hemm$ me 9 & seem$ to make 
! ,*ri/ian life impracticable4  ,"o ( ^!
 adv]se conditions 0 my relations ) ! m5
 9 my bo>d+ h\se4 ,h[ c\ld ,i g back &  
tell !m t ,i _h decid$ to d ! ?+ t ,i _h
 ridicul$ & sc(f$ at 9 _! pres5ce8 ,(   
c\rse ?is 0 pure c[>dice2 ,i 0 afraid ( 
_! ridicule4 ,b ! break 0 made easi] =  
me ?an ,i fe>$ x w\ld be4 ,i f\nd on    
ent]+ ! smok+ room ( ! bo>d+ h\se1 t    
,uncle ,dick ,moss1 a rank spirituali/1 
_h ! floor4 ,he 0 on 8 high horse & 0   
*>g+ up & d[n ! room 9 ! mid/ ( a bitt] 
& blatant ,+]sollian tirade aga9/       
,*ri/ianity & ! ,bible4 ,! cr[d 0 *e]+  
him on4 ,! day be=e1 ?is probably w\ld h
 amus$ me & ,i might h foll[$ him1      
support+ 8 argum5ts1 or r ass]tions--!re
 7 no argum5ts4  ,b dur+ ! twelve h\rs t
 _h j pass$ ,i _h be5 fac+ realities &  

,uncle ,dick's exhibition disgu/$ me4 ,s
 :5 he _h quiet$ d[n1 ,i decid$ t x 0 "t
 = me to run up my colors4 ,if ! break  
_h to come1 x _h bett] come !n4 ,uncle  
,dick1 ,i said1 y h be5 talk+ ab\t      
some?+ t y don't "k any?+ ab\t4 ,"h y   
are swall[+ spiritualism1 hook1 bob &   
s9k]1 & hav+ tr\ble ) ! ,bible & ! only 
religion t c d ! bus9ess t we ne$ to h  
done4 ,! tr\ble ) y is t y are afraid t 
! ,bible w upset y\r spiritualism1 & y  
don't d>e to inve/igate ! ,bible & /& by
 ! result ( y\r inve/igation4 ,i'm tir$ 
( ?is :ole bus9ess1 & ,i h made up my   
m9d to inve/igate ! ,bible &1 if x is   
:at ,i ?9k x is1 to try to live by x4 ,i
 am go+ to be a ,*ri/ian4  ,a %\t & a   
laugh w5t up4 ,i 0 call$ ,deacon1 & x 0 
sugge/$ t ,i lead 9 pray] or at lea/    
make a few rem>ks4 ,b ,i _h said en\gh  
to put myself on record & x 0 h>dly to  
be expect$ t !y w\ld take me s]i\sly on 
su* %ort notice4 ,:5 x came "t to g to  
b$ ,i felt t 9 ord] n to be misund]/ood 
,i mu/ pray 9 ! pres5ce ( my roommate4  

,he 0 a cynic & a no?+>ian & ,i felt    
sure t he w\ld nei!r und]/& nor         
appreciate x4 ,x 0 h>d to br+ x ab\t1 z 
he kept on talk+ 9 a way t seem$ to give
 me no opportunity to turn ! subject    
naturally4 ,i 0 tempt$ to let x pass1 b 
felt t1 if ,i did1 x w\ld be fatal to my
 new-=m$ purpose4 ,s f9ally1 9 almo/ an 
agony ( awkw>dness1 ,i blurt$ out1 ,jim1
 ,i don't c>e :at y ?9k ab\t x1 ,i'm go+
 to pray4 ,jim prov$ to be entirely mild
 & agreeable ab\t x1 h[ev]1 & gave me 8 
bless+ 9 a patroniz+ sort ( a way4 ,!   
next day ,i burn$ my bridges beh9d me by
 pack+ my trunk & go+ home4  ,up to ?is 
"t ,i 0 consci\s ( no?+ unusual4 ,:at   
?+s _h tak5 place ,i _h done myself & x 
_h be5 entirely )9 my own option & p[]  
to d or n to d !m4 ,i _h receiv$ !      
te/imony ( at lea/ f\r witnesses ( !    
fact ( conv]sion & ! reality ( !        
,*ri/ian life2 ,i _h relax$ ! opposition
 ( my w & giv5 my judgm5t a *ance to    
act2 ,i _h tak5 advice f exp]i5ce2 ,i _h
 pray$2 ,i _h turn$ my face t[>d !      

,*ri/ian life2 ,i _h cut loose f        
conditions unfri5dly to ,*ri/ian        
exp]i5ce1 & ,i 0 try+ to be a ,*ri/ian4 
,b ,i 0 /ill 9 ! fog4  ,= ! next ?ree   
days ,i work$ v h>d try+ to be a        
,*ri/ian4 ,i att5d$ a meet+ ea* night1  
rose = pray]1 pray$1 did ev]y?+ ,i 0    
told to d1 & z mu* m z ,i c\ld ?9k (4 ,!
 burd5 ( my pray] & ( my reque/s = pray]
 0 t ,i might h fai?4 ,i want$ to get   
some?+ t ,i ?\ght e ,*ri/ian _h1 or mu/ 
h 9 ord] to be a ,*ri/ian1 & s f> z ,i  
knew1 ,i 0 will+ to pay ! price4 ,b no?+
 result$1 except ! natural we>9ess f my 
own ex]tions4 ,i 0 /ill 9 ! fog4  ,!    
fif? day 0 ,fa/ ,day1 a good old ,new   
,engl& in/itution1 ) a pray] meet+ 9 !  
morn+1 :i* ,i att5d$ & at :i* ,i rose = 
pray]4 ,9 ! aft]noon 0 a union s]vice1 )
 a civic or semi-religi\s topic1 b ,i   
att5d$ x1 z ,i did n want any?+ to get  
by me t might contribute to ! solution (
 my problem4 ,!re 0 sc>cely any?+ ab\t !
 s]vice t 0 calculat$ to make a         
spiritual impression4 ,! address 0 poor1

 z also 0 ! music4 ,i tri$ to foll[ !   
argum5t1 b f9ally gave x up & began to  
?9k ab\t t :i* _h be5 upp]mo/ 9 my m9d =
 ! five days pa/4 ,! ?+ baffl$ me2 !    
object ( my que/ _h elud$ my e ef=t to  
grasp x4 ,! exp]i5ce ( ! five days 0    
new1 b x conta9$ no?+ b t :i* c\ld be   
acc\nt$ = by purely natural causes4 ,i  
review$ ! :ole p]iod to see if ,i _h    
left out any ess5tial "p ( ! =mula4 ,0 x
 possible t my skepticism _h be5 well   
f\nd$1 t !re 0 no?+ 9 ! s-call$ ,*ri/ian
 exp]i5ce aft] all8 ,x 0 ab\t f\r       
o'clock 9 ! aft]noon ( ! fif? day s9ce  
,i _h set my face t[>d ! ,*ri/ian life &
 ,i 0 /ill 9 ! fog4  ,b ,i 0 we>y ) !   
ef=t1 & z ,i ?\ght x ov]1 ,i said to    
myself ,:at are y try+ to d8 & ! answ]  
01 ,i am try+ to be a ,*ri/ian4 ,!n x   
dawn$ ^u me t try+ 0 n tru/+2 t1 if ,i  
succe$$ 9 my ef=t1 ,i %\ld h only a     
self-made product & n ! religion ( !    
,bible & t x 0 unreasonable = me to     
expect ! results ( fai? be=e ex]cis+    
fai? itself4 ,i 0 /umbl+ at ! v         

simplicity ( fai?4 ,i 0 work+ to w9 :at 
,god 0 wait+ to give1 :ile my lat5t     
faculty ( fai?1 ! greate/ asset 9       
p]sonality1 0 ly+ wor?less ?r\gh disuse4
 ,i ?\ght ( my exp]i5ce on ! ocean1 :5  
f9ally1 helpless to help myself1 ,i _h  
left my :ole problem ) ! ,pilot & ,he _h
 tak5 comm& & br\ght u ?r\gh to safety1 
& s ,i delib]ately gave up ! /ruggle &  
said to myself1 ,x is "r = me to s]ve   
,god & to live = ,him1 & ,i w d x :e!r  
,i h :at !y call an 'exp]i5ce' or n4 ,&1
 hav+ settl$ ! "q1 ,i dismiss$ x & wait$
 = in/ructions4  ,illu/ration3 ,x ,came 
z ,quietly z ! ,daylight ,comes ,:5 !   
,night is ,done  ,& !n some?+ happ5$1 =1
 f )\t1 surpris+ me ) its pres5ce1 l !  
discov]y ( a welcome b unexpect$ gue/1  
!re came into my life a deep1 great1    
ov]fl[+ peace4 ,i _h nev] kn[n x be=e1 &
 !re=e ,i c\ld n by any possibility h   
imag9$ x2 b1 ,i recogniz$ x z some?+ f  
,god4 ,x 0 n s5sational1 x came quietly2
 z quietly z ! daylight comes :5 ! night
 is done4 ,x 0 n emotional1 unless x 0 9

 itself an emotion4 ,b emotions are     
transi5t & ?is _h come to /ay4  ,) !    
peace1 !re came also some?+ t seem$ to  
be a re9=cem5t ( my life pr9ciple1 an   
a*iev+ p[]1 a disposition to d>e & an   
ability to d t :i* hi!rto _h seem$      
impossible2 & ! petty pessimism ( ! pa/ 
gave way be=e ?is new consci\sness4  ,) 
?is deep incom+ tide ( peace & p[] came 
a cle>+ ( ! m5tal atmosph]e1 & ,i saw t 
! fog _h lift$4 ,:5 ,i saw ?is1 ,i said 
to myself quietly1 ,i ?9k ,i am a       
,*ri/ian1 & almo/ imm$iately add$1 ,i am
 a ,*ri/ian6  ,! fog _h pass$1 & !      
drift+ 0 ov]2 ,i _h come )9 sight ( l&4 
,:at l& x 0 ,i did n !n "k1 b x prov$ to
 be a new _w4 ,h[ great x is ,i d n yet 
fully und]/&1 b ,i h be5 explor+ x ?irty
 ye>s & ,i ?9k x is a cont95t4