ace? Out
of my office, you jackanapes, and call the dogs off this boy Matt. Why,
there was never one of his breed that wasn't a man and a seaman, every
inch of him.

"All Hands And Feet thrash a Peasley! Huh! A joke! Why, Ethan was six
foot six at twenty, with an arm like a fathom of towing cable. Catch me
turning down one of our own boys! No, sir! Not by a damned sight!"

In all his life Mr. Skinner had never seen Cappy Ricks so wrought up.
He fled at once to call off the dogs, while Cappy turned to his desk and
wrote this telegram:

San Francisco, California.
June 28, 19--.

Matt Peasley,
Care United States Marshal,
Hoquiam, Washington.

Congratulations on splendid voyage. You busted record.
Lindquist, in the John A. Logan, did it in eighty-four days in
the spring of ninety-four. Draw draft and pay off crew, render
report of voyage, place second mate in charge, and proceed
immediately to Seattle to get your master's ticket. Will
telegraph Seattle inspectors requesting waive further probation
as first mate and issue license if you pass examination in
order that you may accept captaincy of Retriever. Skinner, my
manager, had you arrested. Would never have done it myself. I
come from Thomaston, Maine, and I knew your people. Would
never have sent the Swede had I known which tribe of Peasley
you belonged to--though, if he had licked you, no more than you
deserved. I want no more of your impudence, Matt.

Alden P. Ricks.

* * * * * *

For a week business droned along in Cappy Ricks' office as usual,
interrupted at last by the receipt of a telegram from Matt Peasley to
Cappy. It was sent from Seattle and read:

"Have now legal right to be called captain. Rejoin ship
tomorrow. Wire orders. Thank you."

"God bless the lad!" Cappy murmured happily. "I'll bet he's going to
make me a skookum skipper. Still, I think he's pretty young and sadly in
need of training; so I'll have to take some of the conceit out of him.
I'm going to proceed to break his young heart; and if he yells murder
I'll fire him! On the contrary, if he's one of Ethan's tribe--well, the
Peasleys always did their duty; I'll say that for them. I hope he stands
the acid."

Whereupon Cappy Ricks squared round to his desk and wrote: