en's wanted but an
occasional spell at the pump, and when something was bound to come
along presently to give us a drag?"

Captain Verrion nodded, with a little hint of patronage, I thought, in
his appreciative reception of Caudel's views.

"Well, to make an end of the yarn, Mr. Barclay," continued Caudel,
"them three men went aboard the barque, taking their clothes with 'em;
but when I told Bobby to go too, 'No,' says he, 'I'll stop and help ye
to pump, sir.' There's the makings of a proper English sailor, Mr.
Barclay, in that there boy," he exclaimed, casting his eyes at the lad
who had again addressed himself to the pump.

"And here you've been all day?" said I.

"All day, sir, and all night too, and a dirty time it's bin."

"Waiting for something to give you a tow, with a long black night at
hand?"

"Mr. Barclay," said he, "I told ye I should stick to that there little
dandy, and I wouldn't break my word for no man."

"You sha'n't be disappointed," said Captain Verrion, bestowing on
Caudel a hearty nod of approval, this time untinctured by
condescension, "give us the end of your tow rope and we'll drag the
dandy home for ye."

"Cap'n, I thank 'ee," said Caudel.

"You and the boy are pretty nigh wore out, I allow," exclaimed Captain
Verrion. "I'll put a couple of men aboard the _Spitfire_. How often
do she want pumping?"

"'Bout every half hour."

"You stay here," said Captain Verrion, looking with something of
commiseration at Caudel, who, the longer one surveyed him, the more
soaked, ashen, and shipwrecked one found him. "I'll send for the boy,
and you can both dry yourselves and get a good long spell of rest."

He left us to give the necessary orders to his men, and, whilst the
steamer launched her own boat, I stood talking with Caudel, telling him
of our adventures aboard the _Carthusian_, of our marriage, and so
forth. He listened very gravely whilst I talked of my marriage.

"I fear it's a sham," said I, "but it will be something to strengthen
my hands with when I come to tackle Lady Amelia."

"A sham!" cried he, "no fear, sir. If you've been married by the
master of a ship, there's no more splicing wanted. You're a wedded
man. There can be no breaking away from it."

"How do you know?" said I, wondering whether he _did_ know.

"How do I know, sir? Why, the master of a ship can do anything aboard
his own craft, and whatever he does is lawful."

This was mere forecastle superstitio