"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 superstition, and I saw that he did not know.