Shortly after he did so, Captain Wilson strolled up to the place where he was standing.
"I wish, Reuben," he said, after a few remarks on other subjects, "that you would tell me a little more about yourself.

You understand that I do not ask from mere inquisitiveness; but after what has happened, you see, we seem to have got into close relationship with each other; and if I knew more about you, I could the easier see in what way I could most really be useful to you, out there.

Are you what you appear to be ?" "I am, indeed," Reuben replied, with a smile.

"My history is a very simple one.

My father was a miller with a good business and, up to the age of ten, it did not appear that I should ever be working as a craftsman for my living.