what happens in chapter one of carry on mr bowdicht

Brilliant in mathematics, Bowditch wanted to study at Harvard, but his family could not afford the cost. At the age of twelve, he was indentured for nine years to a firm of ship chandlers in Salem, Massachusetts, so he diligently studied on his own, pursuing astronomy, mathematics, algebra, navigation, Latin, French, and Spanish. Men of the town encouraged him and gave him privileges in private libraries. While in his early twenties, Bowditch went to sea as ship's clerk and second mate. On board, he continued to study and also taught navigation to the common sailors.