thout being told.

Referring copper paint, I know from practical experience which
brand is best; you know only what paint dealer tells you. Will
not stand abuse for knowing my business and attending to it
without instructions from landlubber! When you appointed me
you said remember speed synonymous with dividends in shipping
business. How can I make fast passages with whiskers two feet
long on my keel? Send new flying jib and spanker next loading
port. Send new skipper, too, if you feel that way about it.

Peasley.

"Well, Skinner," Cappy Ricks declared, "this is the first time a skipper
in my employ ever talked back--and it'll be the last. I've had enough
of this fellow's impudence, Skinner. He's right at that--blast him--but
he's too much of a sea lawyer; and I won't have any employee of mine
telling me how to run my business. Send in a stenographer."

When the stenographer entered Cappy Ricks said:

"Ahem-m! Harump-h-h-h! Take telegram: 'Captain Matthew Peasley, care
Rainier Mill and Lumber Company, Tacoma, Washington. You're fired!
Ricks.' Ahem! Huh! Har-ump! Take 'nother telegram: 'Mr. Michael
J. Murphy, First Mate Barkentine Retriever'--same address as
Peasley--'Accept this telegram as your formal appointment to command of
our barkentine, Retriever, vice Matthew Peasley, discharged this day;
forwarding to-morrow certificate of change of master.' Sign that: 'Blue
Star Navigation Company, per Alden P. Ricks,' and get both telegrams on
the wire right away."

Cappy turned to Mr. Skinner and chuckled sardonically.

"I'll bet that will gravel the man Peasley," he declared. "There's
nothing harder on a captain than being fired, and succeeded by his
own mate--particularly after he has so recently recommended that mate!
Peasley will be wild--the pup!"

"Well," Mr. Skinner replied, "appointing Mr. Murphy certainly has this
advantage,--he's there on the ground and we are thus spared the expense
of sending a man from here."

"That's one of the reasons why I appointed him--one of three very
excellent reasons, in fact. Now we'll wait and see what the man Peasley
has to say to that telegram."

They had to wait about two hours, and this was what Matt Peasley had to
say:

"Many thanks. The second mate and the cook quit the minute
they discovered it was to be another cargo of creosoted piling;
and now that I am fired Mr. Murphy has concluded