EARLY YEARS 19 



in the Thames, in the great port of London, 

 when, like a train of powder, the news spread 

 of war with France. War, naval war! James 

 Cook remembered the stories of naval engage- 

 ments which he had heard long ago, in the eve- 

 nings on the jetty at Staithes, from the lips of 

 the old fishermen. His young blood was fired. 

 He saw, as in a flash of boundless ambition, an 

 avenue of glory stretching before him. "I will 

 try my luck at this game," he said to himself, 

 and, with his customary decision, he enlisted in 

 the Royal Navy. 



