Summary

In “A Journal of My Time in the Liquid World: Observations and Adventures of the Seaman Thomas Beddicker,” Thomas becomes a seaman “with the East India Company” when he is 17 (127). He joins William Lowden’s crew on the Peppercorn, sailing to Madras, Bengal, and Pondicherry. After Wiliam dies, his brother Samuel assumes control of the ship. Remembering William’s love of “the liquid world,” Thomas starts journaling (129).

Samuel is furious to discover an Indian man on board. Although Thomas is also surprised, he soon makes the man’s acquaintance, learning his name is Abbas. Thomas is impressed by Abbas’s former life as “a woodworker in the kingdom of Tipu Sultan” (133). Although Samuel disdains Abbas, Thomas enjoys his company. Abbas is the only other sailor who speaks French.

The Peppercorn encounters the Egyptienne...