THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN AVERY
He was the son of John Avery, a victualler near Plymouth, in Devonshire, who in a few years was grown as opulent in his purse as in his body, by scoring two for one; and when he had so done, drinking the most of the liquor himself. By which means, and having a handsome wife, who knew her business as well as if she had been brought up to it from a child (which, indeed, she mostly was, her mother keeping the House before she married Mr. Avery), they soon became very rich and very able to give credit to a whole ship’s crew upon their tickets, which in those days were sold for less than half their value.
Having but one child (afterwards the Captain), they at first resolved to bring him up a scholar, that he might advance the dignity of the family. But instead of learning his book, he was taught by such companions that he could soon swear to every point of his compass, which was a very diverting scene for the Boatswain and his crew, who were then drinking in the kitchen, having just received ten pounds apiece short allowance money on board the Revenge, every farthing of which they spent before leaving the house.
But as soon as their money was spent, they were all like to have been imprisoned by their Landlady for a riot, as she called it, so they were soon glad to sheer off, and he thought himself happiest that could get first aboard. Indeed, it would have been happy for them if they had, for the ship was unmoored and gone to sea; which put the Boatswain and his crew swearing in earnest, and not knowing what to do, they resolved to return to their Landlady, Mrs. Avery, at “the Sign of the Defiance.” But she shut them out of doors, calling them a parcel of beggarly rascals, and swearing that if they would not go from the door she would send for the Constable; and notwithstanding all the entreaties and tears of her only son, who was then about six years of age, she could not be prevailed upon to let them in, so they were obliged to stroll about the street all night. In the morning, spying the ship at anchor, being driven back by contrary winds, they resolved to make the best of their way aboard; but on the way, whom should they meet but young Avery, who had no sooner seen them, but he cried after them. “Zounds,” says the Boatswain, “let’s take the young dog aboard, and his mother shall soon be glad to adjust the reckoning more to our satisfaction before she shall have her son.”
This was agreed upon by all hands, and the boy was as willing as any of them. So, stepping into the boat, in about an hour’s time they reached the ship, which they had no sooner boarded but they were brought before the Captain, who, being in want of hands, contented himself with bidding them all go to their business; for the wind turned about, and there was occasion for all hands to be at work to carry out the ship.
All this while young Avery was at the heels of the Boatswain, and was observed to swear two oaths to one of the Boatswain’s; which being soon observed by the Captain, he inquired who brought that young rascal aboard.
To which the Boatswain replied that he did, that the boy’s mother was his Landlady on shore, and he had taken him up in jest, but was afraid that they would now have to keep him in earnest.