About this story
At nine, you clear a live shell from the deck under fire, but Adams dies mid-sentence, before he can say where to find the one man who knows your father's true name. Renamed William Seymour, you're sent aboard a captured prize under a brutal officer, and left alone at the helm when a storm takes him and three sailors into the sea.
How it opens
Edward Peters entered the navy to support his wife and young son, carrying education uncommon before the mast.
Edward PetersWilly, remember that a man's name may be injured before his conduct changes.
Edward PetersA missing watch brought accusation, degradation, and punishment while I remained innocent.
The purser's servant was caught with it only after your father deserted and was brought back.
Captain ADesertion remains desertion, whatever error encouraged it.
The later mutiny at the Nore gave injured men a cause and Peters a fatal role within it.