"May I inquire, sir," he said, facing the gentleman who had
accompanied All Hands And Feet aboard the Retriever, "who you are and
the nature of your business?"

"I am the American consul, Mr. Peasley, and I am here at the
invitation of Captain Peterson, the master of this ship, to witness
the formal transfer of authority from you to him. I was given to
understand by Captain Peterson that you might offer some slight
objection to this arrangement."

"Slight objection!" Matt Peasley replied with a rising inflection, and
grinned maliciously.

The consul had his Yankee sense of humor with him and chuckled as Matt
lifted his big body on his toes and stretched both arms lazily. Then
Matthew Peasley turned toward All Hands And Feet.

"I have a letter from the owners of the Retriever," he said
respectfully, "which leads me to presume that you are to supersede me
in command of the vessel." All Hands And Feet nodded. "Which being
the case," Matt Peasley continued, "as a mere matter of formality, you
will of course present your credentials as master."

"Sure!" Ole replied pleasantly, and sidled toward Matt Peasley with
outstretched arms. Could Cappy Ricks have seen his skipper then, he
would have reminded the Old Man more than ever of a bear.

Matt Peasley needed no blueprint of the big Swede's plans. All Hands
And Feet, depending on his sheer horse power and superior weight,