seem to remember some such prophecy; also,
some conversation to the effect that I'd be a better business man if I
purchased my business experience with my own money. You said there were
wolves along California Street that would take my roll away from me so
fast it'd surprise me. I must confess, however, that I had no idea you
would lead the pack! However, I didn't come here to argue, Mr. Ricks--"

"What did you come for? Sympathy?" Cappy queried. "Because, if you did,
you've come to the wrong shop, my boy. Business is business, Matt; I
never mix sentiment with it and I advise you never to do it either. Pay
your way and take your beating like a sport--that's my policy, Matt."

"Do you want to save the Blue Star Navigation Company some money?" Matt
managed to articulate.

"Certainly! Now you're talking business; so I'll listen."

"As charterer of your steamer Tillicum, I find that Captain Grant, the
master you installed there, is offensive to me. I object to the way he
parts his hair and knots his necktie, and I want a new skipper on the
ship."

Cappy Ricks slid out to the edge of his swivel chair, placed a hand on
each knee and eyed Matt suspiciously over the rims of his spectacles.
After a long silence he shook his head negatively.

"Then I'll sue you!" Matt replied. "There's a clause in the charter
party. You've got to do it."

Cappy's mouth flew open.

"Oh, by Judas Priest, that's right," he said, and laughed. "So you're
providing a job for yourself after the smoke clears away, eh?" he
quizzed. "Well, you can skipper the Tillicum while you keep up the
payments of the charter money, Matt; but I give you my word that the day
you slip up on a payment, out you go and back Captain Grant goes into
the ship. Meantime, however, I think I see now why you inserted that
clause. In the event of just such a contingency as the present you
wanted the privilege of jumping in and taking command yourself."

Matt nodded.

"Captain Grant is a good man, but old. He can't drive a crew like I can,
Mr. Ricks--and, with me on the job, that steamer will be discharged and
back in San Francisco Bay from three to five days sooner that she would
ordinarily. It means six hundred dollars a day to me, sir, and every day
saved is worth that much cash in hand to you, since you profess to think
so lightly of my promissory note."

"Enough!" Cappy commanded. "I'll admit that the thought does you credit.
It was a mighty bright idea, Matt, and