Two Years Before the Mast

The National Broadcasting Company presents the first in a new series of famous stories for young people, Adventure Ahead. This week, a tale suggested by that epic of the sea two years before the mass by Richard Henry Dana.

A story which has brought reading excitement to six generations of American boys and girls. And so, Adventure Ahead! It was 1844, and the first time that I ever saw the pilgrim, I knew she was the ship for me. Because in all of Boston Harbor, she had the finest lines, the deepest drafts, and

masks that almost scraped the sky. Yes, the clipper pilgrim seemed the answer to my dream, the largest tallest most seaward he shipped that I had ever seen. And even though I had never been to see and hardly knew my way around a deck. I climbed aboard to find the captain.

You're looking for somebody? Well, yes I am. I want to speak to the captain. Not after a job, I am. A bird? Yes, sir. He's a fine ship. Maybe. I have a bird ship to float in the program and there's better ones too.

What do you mean? You'll find out soon enough Captain Taylor found John. Do you think you'll take me? I never been to see you. We'll make much difference this trip. The children will do it a sail a night and we need man.

You look strong enough, Husky. You can learn or make a sailor out of ya. You might be first made by the time we sail back home again. Well, thank you, Mr. I'm not a scientist, just a sign of board.

Yes, sir, I am. Nowhere we're bound for? Well, no sir. California, that's where. Know what that means? It's a long ways off, sir. It may be a year or two years before we fail in the Boston Harbor again.