HENRY MORGAN. 
173 
Chap. NI.—B. S.] 
respectable parents. His father was a farmer, but 
young Morgan showed little inclination to follow his 
peaceful calling. At an early age he left home to 
seek employment more suited to his active mind, and 
on arriving at one of the seaports joined a vessel 
hound for Barbadoes. No sooner, however, had the 
destination been reached, than, according to the prac¬ 
tice of those times, Morgan was sold as a slave, and 
had to serve a series of years in that capacity. 
Having at last regained his freedom, he proceeded to 
Jamaica to try his fortune once more. There he found 
two piratical vessels ready for sea, and being without 
employment, he did not hesitate to join them. A 
new career was now opened to him. He soon acquired 
their manners and customs, and having, during several 
successful voyages, saved a little money, he agreed 
with some of his associates to join stock and buy a 
ship. This was readily executed, and Morgan chosen 
commander. He directed his course towards the coast 
of Campeachy, and returned to Jamaica with several 
captured vessels. Mansvelt, an old pirate, seeing 
Morgan in possession of such valuable prizes, formed 
a high idea of his piratical talents, and offered him 
the command of Yice-Admiral of a fleet, consisting of 
fifteen sail and five hundred men, which he was fitting 
out, and destined to invade the American continent. 
Morgan accepted the offer, and made himself promi¬ 
nent in the new situation. He took several places, 
and after the death of Mansvelt the office of Com- 
mander-in-Chief was unanimously conferred upon him. 
His exploits after this installation were of the 
