And if anything goes wrong, and you fail to collect
from your people, I'll give you a lesson in high finance that you'll
never forget, young man! I'll bet my immortal soul you're going to
try to do business with Morrow & Company; and if that outfit isn't
scheduled for involuntary bankruptcy, then I'm a Chinaman. A charter
for a year, eh? They'll never last a year. They'll bust, owing you a
month's charter money, Matthew, and the vessel will be at sea, most
likely, or in a South American port, when that happens; and you can't
throw her back on me until you deliver her in her home port. And
meantime your charter to me keeps rambling right along, and I'll
attach your bankroll if you're a day late with your payment in
advance. Yes, sir; I'll break you in two for the good of your
immortal soul. Matt--Matt, my son--something tells me you're
monkeying with fire and liable to get burned."
From Cappy Ricks' office Matt Peasley called on Kelton of Morrow &
Company. Kelton, a shrewd, double-action sort of person and the
smartest shipping man on the street, looked with frank curiosity at
Matt's modest card.
"Pacific Shipping Company, eh? That's a new one on me, Captain
Peasley," he said.
"It's a new one on me also," Matt replied humorously; "in fact, it is
too recent to be very well known.
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