Poor Jack

Chapter One. - In which, like most people who tell their own stories, I begin with the histories of other people.

Chapter Two. - My father does what most sailors do—He makes a foolish marriage, one of the consequences of which is brought to light at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Three. - In which my mother proves herself a tender wife, and at the same time shows her patriotism and devotion to her country.

Chapter Four. - In which I tell the reader all I can recollect about myself, and moreover prove the truth of the old adage “that it is a wise child who knows its own father.”

Chapter Five. - My father and mother meet after an absence of six years. She discovers that he is no longer a Coxswain but a Boatswain’s Mate.

Chapter Six. - A bright pleasant evening after a squall, in which the art of angling is introduced in a way which would have added to the knowledge of Izaac Walton himself.

Chapter Seven. - In which my mother gives my father a scriptural lesson. My father’s grief at parting with an old friend—He expostulates with my mother and quits the house.

Chapter Eight. - In which the doctor pays a visit and receives no fee; and I am obliged to work very hard to procure myself a livelihood.

Chapter Nine. - In which I take a cruise contrary to the received rules of navigation—On my return from a cold expedition, I meet with a cold reception.

Chapter Ten. - In which I narrate what I consider the most fortunate incident in my life; and Ben the Whaler confides to me a very strange history.