But Ruddle shook his head.
"I don't believe I ever was a missionary, for I always allowed they were a scaly lot. And I ain't married, and the girl that thinks I'll marry her is away off her true course by points. But I say, how long do you reckon I was minister?"
He held on to the 'old man' as if he was holding on to sanity, and implored an answer.
"We'll ask your pal," said Gray, and he bellowed down the companion for Chadwick, who came on deck with his eyes bolting.
"Is that my pal?" asked Ruddle in great disappointment. "Why, I never saw him either."
Poor Chadwick burst into tears.
"Oh, this is dreadful, this is very dreadful," said poor Chadwick. "What shall we do? Our chief stay and strength is gone from us, and doesn't know even me that married him."
Ruddle stared, and then rushed at him and held him in the grip of a bear.
"Steady, mister, are you speakin' truth or are you gettin' at me?"
"It's the truth," said Chadwick.