CHAPTER XV
RUMORS OF WAR
When four days had elapsed the manager of the Ranier mill wired the
Blue Star Navigation Company that the Retriever had not yet appeared
at their dock.
Now four days wasted means something to a big barkentine like the
Retriever; and in the absence of any excuse for the delay Cappy Ricks
promptly came to the conclusion that Matt Peasley was ashore in
Seattle, disporting himself after the time-honored custom of deep-sea
sailors home from a long cruise. There could be no other reason for
such flagrant inattention to orders; for, had the man Peasley been
ill, the mate, Murphy, whom the captain vouched for as sober and
intelligent, would have had his superior sent to a hospital and wired
the office for orders.
"Skinner," said Cappy, "send in a stenographer."
When the girl appeared Cappy Ricks dictated this wire:
Captain Matthew Peasley,
Master Barkentine Retriever,
Colman Dock, Seattle, Washington.
Are you drunk, dead or asleep? You have your orders. Obey
them P.D.Q. or turn over command to Chief Mate Murphy.
Alden P. Ricks.
"There!" he shrilled. "I've signed my name to it. Sign a telegram
Blue Star Navigation Company and these infernal skippers think a clerk
sent it; but when they know the boss is on to them they'll jump
lively.
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