Of attractive manners, quick in perception and action, but clear-headed and calm in judgment." And the historian Parkman declares that at forty-two he had "the ardour of youth still burning within him." Reverse the figures.

What do you suppose that ardour was like when he was not forty-two but twenty-four?
At the time of our hero's first command and first naval engagement on his own ship, things were quite exciting for his King and country, though we have most of us forgotten that such excitements ever existed.

England had a host of enemies, some of them of her own household.

It was even whispered that the American possessions were not entirely and whole-heartedly loyal! This seemed incredible, to be sure, but the men in high places kept an eye on them just the same.
Captain Warren's first official post was the station of New York, and in 1728 he made his first appearance in this harbour.
He was then just twenty-five, and gloriously adventurous.

One can imagine with what a thrill he set sail for a new country, new friends, new excitements! I wonder if he guessed that the lady of his heart awaited him in that unknown land, as well as the dear home where, for all his sea-roving taste, he was to return again and again through twenty rich years?
He was in command of the frigate _Solebay_ then, and in the old papers we read many mentions of both ship and officer.
From almost the first Peter loved the Colonies and the Colonies loved him.