"I'm Cornish born, sir; from Saltash, up across the river.

Afore I went to sea there was a maid livin' next door to us that wanted to marry me.

Well, when she found I wasn't to be had, she picked up with a fellow from the Victualling Yard and married he, and came down to Dock to live.

Man's name was Babbage, and they hadn't been married six months afore he tumbled into a brine-vat and was drowned.

'That's one narrow escape to me,' I said.