ninety-day draft on London, in payment of the freight, mailed it to
his owners, cleared his vessel, procured a reliable man to witness the
formal transfer of authority from Matt Peasley to himself, engaged a
launch and set out for the Retriever. All Hands And Feet had had ample
time to plan his campaign, and he had planned it well. Immediately
upon setting foot on the deck of the Retriever he planned to attack;
then, this duty accomplished, he would send his witness ashore, up
hook and away. The attack having taken place in British waters All
Hands And Feet hoped Matt Peasley would have no redress in American
waters; and if he took the complainant to sea with him the man Peasley
would, of a certainty, have no legal redress in British waters!

Mr. Murphy was the first to sight All Hands And Feet. The worthy
fellow had observed the arrival of the steamer and it had occurred to
him that possibly Cappy Ricks' messenger might be aboard her. He had
been on the lookout for two hours, accordingly, and the instant he saw
a launch coming toward the Retriever his suspicions were fully
aroused. He ran below and returned with the two ounce gloves and
Captain Kendall's powerful marine glasses, which latter he leveled at
the approaching launch, and while the new skipper was still a couple
of cable lengths distant, Mr. Murphy recognized him. Instantly he
secured the two ounce gloves and ran aft to where Matt Peasley,
dressed in slippers, duck trousers and undershirt, sat under an awning
reading Sinful Peck.

"Matt," he declared, "the special messenger will be aboard in about
three shakes of a lamb's tail. I recognize him."

"Who is he?" Matt demanded coolly.