month. We've been
running her in our own trade; but the lumber market is very dull and she
has but one more cargo in sight; after that is freighted, unless we can
find outside business for her, she'll have to lay up in Oakland Inner
Harbor until the Panama Canal opens--when, of course, we can load her
for the Atlantic seaboard. She carries nearly two million feet, and
that's what makes it so hard for us to keep her busy coastwise."

"How about some Mexican or Central American business--general cargo?"
Matt suggested.

"Pretty hard stuff to get. The Pacific Mail has most of the Central
American business; and, owing to the political situation in Mexico, that
trade is practically killed. Every vessel that gets in there has trouble
with one faction or the other; they're liable to confiscate, and then
we'd have to call on the navy to get our ship back for us."

"I'll look round for a grain charter to Honolulu and return with sugar
or general cargo."

"We might do that," Cappy suggested, brightening. "Good luck to you,
Matt--and don't be a stranger."

CHAPTER XXXVII. MATT PEASLEY BECOMES A SHIPOWNER

A youth thrust a wary nose into Cappy Ricks' private office and
announced Captain Matt Peasley was desirous of admittance.

"Show him in," Cappy ordered, and Matt entered.

"Well, young man," said Cappy briskly, "sit down and tell me of your
adventures during your first week as a business man. Of course, I hear
from Florry that you have opened a dink of an office somewhere--got desk
space with the Alaskan Codfish Corporation, haven't you, with the use of
their telephone, stenographer and general office boy?"

"Yes, sir. The manager, Slade, is a native of Thomaston--never knew
anything but fish all his life; and, inasmuch as I was raised on the
Grand Banks, I got in the habit of drifting round there occasionally,
and Slade offered me the privilege of making it my headquarters. Ten
dollars a month--cheap enough."

"Yes, considering the aroma of codfish that goes with it, free-gratis,"
Cappy admitted dryly; "but then I suppose that's what attracted you in
the first place. But have you done any real business, Matt?"

"Well, I've arranged with several good old-line insurance companies to
accept any marine-insurance business I may bring in, though I haven't
sold any yet; neither have I been able to find a load for your Tillicum.
By the way, you have a little old three-legged schooner laid up in
Oakland Inner Harbor."