And what then?
The police got after me, and I had to run away.

Yes, ladies and gents, I had to fly from my native land.

I took passage on a ship for Ceylon.

Ceylon," he added, "is an island southeast of India; population three millions; principal town, Colombo; English rule; products, tea, coffee, spices, and gems.
"We had a good trip until we almost got there, and then a big storm come up, and blew our ship about like it was a peanut shell, tossing it up and down on the mighty waves, and round and back; and the third day we bumped on a rock, and the ship began to sink.

In the hurry I was left behind when the crew and passengers went off in the boats.