The fates of some of our compatriots can be remarkably whimsical. For example, did you know that one of the Russian peasants served in the English forces in the Caribbean? The story begins in 1785 in the Kholmogory district, near Arkhangelsk, where a son named Ivan was born into the Spekhin peasant family. Unfortunately, at the age of 10, he became an orphan, but he managed to learn to read and write on his own and, as he grew older, hired himself as a sailor on a ship transporting wheat to England.

During his first voyage, a misfortune occurred. Ivan went for a walk in London, lost track of time, and missed his ship, which left for Arkhangelsk without him. Finding himself in a difficult situation without money and knowledge of the English language, he sought help from a stranger who sold him for 10 pounds to the sailors of the East India Company. The nearest ship was headed to India, but on the way, it stopped at the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. Ivan seized the moment and escaped, turning to the English, who were at war with the Dutch and offered him to join their ranks. Thus, Ivan Spekhin became John Peterson. Although he did not participate in combat, he served as a servant to an officer. Over the years, he learned English and was transferred to the ranks. In 1809, his battalion was sent to the Caribbean island of Barbados, where he spent 6 years participating in skirmishes with bandits and rebellious slaves, eventually rising to the rank of non-commissioned officer.

After retiring, the English offered him to stay on as an instructor, but Ivan preferred to return to Arkhangelsk. Back home, he became a teacher of Russian and English, and children often asked him to tell them about his amazing adventures.