"
Mr. Skinner's eyes fairly popped. "You don't mean to tell me, sir,
that you've given the Quickstep to that rowdy Peasley?"
Cappy relapsed into the colloquialism of the younger generation with
which he was wont to associate at luncheon. "Surest thing you know,"
he said.
"If I may be permitted a criticism, Mr. Ricks--"
"You may not."
"Your sentimental leaning toward your fellow townsman may be the cause
of losing one of the best paying ships of the fleet."
"Forget it, Skinner!"
"Oh, very well. You're the boss, Mr. Ricks. But if I were in your
place I would have an older and more experienced man to relieve him
the moment he comes into the bay. You must remember, Mr. Ricks, that
while he may run her very nicely during the summer months, he has had
no experience on Humboldt Bay during the winter months--"
"Skinner, the only way he'll ever accumulate experience on that bar is
to give him the opportunity."
"He'll take big risks. He's very young and headstrong."
"I admit he's fiery. But I promised him a ship, and he's earned her
sooner than I planned, so, even if my decision loses the Quickstep for
us, he shall have her. I'll be swindled if I ever did see the like of
that boy Matt. He gets results. And do you know why, Skinner?"
"Because," Mr.
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