Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

I immediately procured a horse and started for the country, taking no baggage with me, of course. There is an insignificant creek... between Jefferson Barracks and the place to which I was going, and at that day there was not a bridge over it... On this occasion it had been raining heavily... I found the banks full to overflowing, and the current rapid. I looked at it a moment to consider what to do... I struck into the stream and in an instant the horse was swimming and I being carried down by the current. I headed the horse towards the other bank and soon reached it, wet through and without other clothes on that side of the stream. I went on, however, to my destination and borrowed a dry suit from my--future-- brother-in-law.

I really like Ulysses S. Grant, not just because he has my name. He was born in a boring little town in Ohio to a tanner and his wife. No-one would have thought that he would ever be a president or even a military hero, but he became both. It wasn't easy for him and there were many difficult obstacles, including devastating wars with bloody battles. However, Ulysses would not give up and he overcame them all. What a guy.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

The Year 1866 was signalized by a remarkable incident, a mysterious and inexplicable phenomenon, which doubtless no one has yet forgotten. Not to mention rumors which agitated the maritime population, and excited the public mind, even in the interior of continents, seafaring men were particularly excited. Merchants, common sailors, captains of vessels, skippers, both of Europe and America, naval officers of all countries, and the governments of several states on the two continents, were deeply interested in the matter.
For some time past, vessels had been met by "an enormous thing," a long object spindle-shaped, occasionally phosphorescent, and infinitely larger and more rapid in its movement that a whale.


I really enjoy Jules Verne. I haven't read tons of his books, but the few that I have, I've liked... a lot. He is one great writer.
Now for my imitation.
July 2, 1995, was marked with an awesome experience, a miraculous and intense struggle, which hopefully I will never fail to remember. Though painful, it was worth all the trouble, and has changed many people's lives, even though the life in me had just begun. Mother, father, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, other family from California and Oregon, and good loving friends who cared, were all extremely blessed by the important event.
For years to come, I would grow under my family's wings, which were comfortable and safe. My parents were often very protective, always concerned, and always working hard so that I could live. Have you figured it out yet? The incredible phenomenon was my birth.

Wulf The Saxon

"Cut them down and fly!" the one who had before given orders exclaimed, lunging furiously at Wulf.
"Easier said then done, Walter Fitz-Urse!" Wulf exclaimed as he parried one blow and dealt another in return. It alighted on his opponent's shoulder, but the blade shivered in his hand, for it had fallen upon mail armor concealed under the Norman's garment.
"It is my turn now!" Fitz-Urse exclaimed and raised his sword to strike a sweeping blow at Wulf's head, but before it could fall, the latter leapt forward and caught the uplifted wrist, the impetus of the spring throwing his opponent backwards, while Wulf fell heavily upon him, and for a moment they rolled over and over.... He [Wulf] had not noticed that his opponent, while holding his sword in his right hand, had his dagger already drawn in his left.... the Norman stabbed him deeply in the side. Before he could repeat the blow, Wulf snatched his own dagger from his girdle and buried it in the assassin's throat.


This exciting scene was from Wulf The Saxon by the great English author, G. A. Henty. Henty is a great historical-fiction writer and his books are usually very educational and fun to read. Henty writes incredibly well and I just love good works of writing. I really enjoyed this somewhat exciting scene, because Henty's books can get a little dry. I just thought that it wasn't very intelligent of Wulf to not pay attention to what his opponent had in his hand. He usually acts like a very intelligent young man, thinks quickly, and pays attention, but he was obviously too tired.

PS: Words are the participles. The first two are present participles, and the last one is past.