trying to bluff him, Matt?"

"No, I really meant it when I said it, and if I'm crowded I'll make
good, but somehow I wish I hadn't said it. It wasn't dignified."

"What did you say, Matt?"

"I cabled the owners that if they sent a skipper down here to relieve
me they had better insure his life, because I'd throw him overboard
upon arrival."

"Why, that's war talk," Mr. Murphy declared, highly scandalized. "I
don't think Cappy Ricks will stand for that. I know blame well I
wouldn't."

"What would you do, Mike, if you stood in Cappy's shoes and I sent you
that cablegram?"

"Well," Mr. Murphy mused, "of course I'd be a little old man weighing
about a hundred and thirty pounds ring-side, and I wouldn't be able to
thrash you myself, but if it took my last dollar I'd send somebody
down here to do the job for me.

"Well, I guess that's just about what Cappy has done," Matt admitted,
and handed his mate Cappy's cablegram.

"Hah-hah!" Mr. Murphy commented. "That threat got past the general
manager, right up to headquarters. Why, the old man signed this
cablegram and they do say that when Cappy takes personal charge the
fur begins to fly. Matt, if I was a drinking man I'd offer to bet you