"But excuse me," pursued the old gentleman in blue, still addressing Captain Runacles, "I spoke not only of a young man, but of a message. Did he deliver it?"
"If you mean Tristram Salt, I have not clapped eyes on him since the 1st of May last."
"Then I will deliver it myself. You do not appear to know me—"
"Not from Adam."
"My name is Cornelius van Adrienssen, and you, Captain Runacles, once flung a boot at my head."
"Did I, indeed! It was in a moment of extreme irritation, no doubt."
"We were engaged off the Texel—June the 5th, '71, was the date. You were on board the Galloper, I on the Zeelandshoop. Night parted us—"
"I begin to remember the incident."
"Then I need not proceed. Let me merely remark that I have kept that boot."
"Whatever for?"