Matt will not tell a lie, Skinner. Remember that."
"Neither will Kjellin," Skinner declared with equal warmth.
"Well, I don't know whether he will or not. However, that's beside
the question. Where is the Florence Ricks?"
"Sailed from San Pedro at noon yesterday."
"Where is the Quickstep?"
"Sailed from Eureka to load shingles last night."
"Good. Wireless the master of the Florence to provide himself with a
new second mate. That will give him time to wireless ahead and have
one waiting for him when the vessel touches in to discharge passengers
from the south. Tell him to inform Peasley he isn't fired, but just
transferred. Attend to it, Skinner."
While Mr. Skinner departed to carry out Cappy's order, the old
gentleman called up Harbor 15, Masters' and Pilots' Association, and
asked for the secretary.
"Ricks of the Blue Star speaking," he announced crisply. "Been
furnishing many second mates to the Quickstep lately?"
"Why, yes, Mr. Ricks. Kjellin wires for a new second mate quite
frequently. They don't seem to stay with him more than a voyage or
two. He's quite a driver, you know, Mr. Ricks."
"I know," Cappy replied grimly. "The next time he wires in to have a
second mate join the ship when he touches in here, you might be good
enough to call me up.
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