later in life (at the presumed age of around 34 according to bud sagendorf), popeye would offer his seafaring services at local ports; it was there he would eventually meet the ever-ambitious castor oyl and his sidekick ham gravy, who sought popeye's services in order to travel to the gambling paradise of dice island and make it big using the luck-enhancing powers of their mysterious pet, bernice the whiffle hen, and through them he would meet castor's sister, olive oyl who at first was not too fond of the sailor and vice versa. even her first words to him were harsh: "take your hooks offa me or i'll lay ya in a scupper", and they fought bitterly---and hilariously---for months until finally realizing their feelings for each other. it was at this point that olive left her womanizing fiancée ham gravy to be with the gruff sailor she loved. since then, popeye and olive have remained almost inseparable and happily in love.