I answered, that I understood both very well: for although my proper employment had been to be surgeon or doctor to the ship, yet often, upon a pinch, I was forced to work like a common mariner.

我回答说，我很了解这两者：因为虽然我的正当职业是在船上当外科医生或医生，但经常在紧要关头，我被迫像普通水手一样工作。