Skinner.
"Say, Skinner," he said, "I have an application for a job as master
for one of our tugs from Captain Matthew Peasley. He tells me he was
a couple of years under the Blue Star flag, from A. B. to master of
steam and sail, with an unlimited license. Is he a good man?"
"We never had a more capable skipper in our employ," said Mr. Skinner
truthfully.
"Why did you let him go then?"
"He resigned."
"Under fire?"
"No, he quit voluntarily."
"Honest?"
"Very."
"Then what's wrong with him?"
"He doesn't like me. But he's capable and fearless and a devil on
wheels. He'll take a ship anywhere and bring her out again whole."
"Then he's my huckleberry. That's the kind of man for a tugboat
skipper," was the reply, and Matt Peasley had the job, greatly to the
joy of Mr. Skinner, who realized now that his ultimatum to Cappy Ricks
had been a knockout blow. Cappy had surrendered, and the rowdy Matt,
having given up hope of a snug berth as port captain of the Blue Star
Navigation Company, had in despair sought a job with a tugboat
company.
Mr. Skinner was so happy he shelved his office dignity long enough to
whistle a popular ballad that had been running through his mind of
late. All too gladly had he recommended Matt Peasley for that tugboat
job! He would have employed anything, short of dishonorable methods,
to rid the Blue Star of that incubus!
Cappy Ricks almost wept with rage when his daughter informed him that
Matt had gone back to salt water.
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