course I wouldn't care to have that happen. I'd have to quit the
ship, too. I wouldn't care to do that. I've made up my mind to sail
under the Blue Star flag for the rest of my natural life and I'd hate
to have to change my mind."

"I've made up my mind to the same thing, Mike, and I know I'm not
going to change my mind."

"Well, then, Matt, you stick in your first mate's berth and I'll be
satisfied with my second mate's berth."

"I suppose you'll say next that the relief skipper will be happy in
poor old Captain Noah's berth, eh?" Matt interrupted. He grinned at
Mr. Murphy.

"Mike, listen to me. There isn't going to be any relief skipper.
You're going back to Hoquiam, Grays Harbor, Washington, U. S. A., as
chief kicker of the barkentine Retriever, and you're going to take
orders from me all the way. In fact, you might as well begin right
now. Take your duds and move into my cabin."

"Matt," Mr. Murphy pleaded earnestly, "you don't know Cappy Ricks, do
you?"

"No, but I'll get acquainted with him in due course. Don't let that
worry you Mike."

"All right, I won't. But what does worry me is the fact that Cappy
Ricks doesn't know you.