with Captain Peterson?"

"Captain Peasley--if you please, Mr. Consul." Matt looked up and
grinned. "I think," he continued, as he inserted the corkscrew, "I
shall ship that boy as second mate if he's willing to work. If he's
sullen, of course he'll have to remain in his room--and I shall not
permit him to present his credentials now."

"Captain Peasley," the consul warned seriously. "I'm afraid you're in
very, very Dutch."

"I wouldn't be surprised. However, it will be about three months
before I commence to suffer, and in the meantime I'm going to be
supremely happy skippering the barkentine Retriever back to Grays
Harbor, if they hang me for it when I get there. Say when!"

"When!"

"Here's success to crime, Mr. Consul."

"Good luck to you, you youthful prodigy; good luck and bon voyage,
Mr.--I mean Captain Peasley."

"Thank you, Mr. Consul. I hate to hurry you away; fact is, I'd like to
have you stay aboard and have dinner with us, but if this breeze holds
good I can save my owners an outward towage bill, and I'll have to
hustle. So I'll bid you good-bye, Mr. Consul. Glad to have had you
for the little exhibition. Here is my name and address--and please
don't forget that affidavit."