That's the sense of the thing, Marmion, and the contract
holds between the two, straight on into the eternal belly. Whatever
happens, a husband is a husband, and a wife a wife. It seems to me that,
in the sight of Heaven, it's he that's running fair in the teeth of the
wind, every timber straining, and she that's riding with it, well coaled,
flags flying, in an open channel, and passing the derelict without so
much as, 'Ahoy there!'"
Now, at this distance of time, I look back, and see Hungerford, "the
rowdy sailor," as he called himself, lying there, his dark grey eyes
turned full on me; and I am convinced that no honester, more
sturdy-minded man ever reefed a sail, took his turn upon the bridge, or
walked the dry land in the business of life. It did not surprise me, a
year after, when I saw in public prints that he was the hero of--but that
must be told elsewhere. I was about to answer him then as I knew he would
wish, when a steward appeared and said: "Mr. Boyd, 116 Intermediate,
wishes you would come to him, sir, if you would be so kind."
Hungerford rose, and, as I made ready to go, urged quietly: "You've got
the charts and soundings, Marmion, steam ahead!" and, with a swift but
kindly clench of my shoulder, he left me.
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