ousand a month to run her--and she doesn't even
go near the war zone. I'm going to run her to South American ports."

"How long?"

Matt Peasley smiled. "How long?" he echoed. "Why, she's only chartered
for one trip just now. You don't suppose I'd charter her for several
voyages or for a year, on a freight market that's growing over-night?"

"And those fifteen vessels you chartered. You rechartered them. For what
period?"

"Three months, with privilege of renewal at the going rates."

"Matt," Cappy murmured, "you're great. Damn me, sir, I could kiss you."

Matt grinned at this earnest commendation.

"Of course I can operate the Narcissus and meet my monthly payments
to the Oriental Steamship Company and still be ahead of the game," he
continued. "But I'm going to sell her, Mr. Ricks. I've had an offer of
four hundred and fifty thousand dollars for her already--and she's still
waiting to be hauled out on the marine railway and put in commission!
I'll just wait one week and by that time she'll bring half a million.
At that I hate to sell, but I've got to. I figure a bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush."

"Why have you got to?" Cappy shrilled. "You're crazy! You don't have
to."

"But the next payment will come due on her before I receive any charter
money from the Steel people, and that will clean me for fair. I can't
help myself. Besides, I've got these other fifteen vessels chartered;
I'll have to have capital--and I've got to have it quickly or I'll be a
pauper while you'd be saying Jack Robinson."

"But, Matt, you old dunderhead, you mustn't sell a good thing. Why, man,
you've got a million and a half profit right in the hollow of your hand;
and, oh, we mustn't let it get away, Matt--we mustn't let it get away!

"It was magnificent, Matt--perfectly magnificent. I'll help you, sonny.
By golly, I'll go to the bat for you and back you for the last dollar I
have. No more monkeyshines between us now, boy! We've had a lot of
fun in our day, playing nip and tuck with each other; but this is real
business. You've got to be saved."

"I had an idea that you would see it in that light, sir," Matt suggested
smilingly. "I knew you'd back me up; so I didn't worry. But you'll have
to take half the profit on the deals I've made--that's only fair."

"Profits!" Cappy Ricks sneered. "Why, what the devil do I care for
profits? You keep the profits. You and Florry are young and you'll know
how to enjoy them. Why, what d