the kelp, an' faith, she'll shtay out av the shop. Thank you kindly,
sor. When do I go to wurrk?"

"Your pay started this morning. The _Narcissus_ goes on Christy's
ways in Oakland Harbor at the tip of the flood this afternoon. Get
on the ship and stay on her. It's a day-and-night rush job to get
her in commission, and you'll be paid time and a half while she's
repairing. Good-day and good luck to you, chief. Come in and see
me whenever you get to port." And Cappy Ricks, most democratic of
men, extended his hand to his newest employee. Terence Reardon took
it in his huge paw that would never be clean any more, and held it
for a moment, the while he looked fearlessly into Cappy's eyes.

"'Tis a proud man I am to wurrk for you, sor," he said simply.
"Tip-top serrvice for tip-top pay, an' by the Great Gun av Athlone,
you'll get it from me, sor. If ever the ship is lost 'twill be no
fault of mine."

Mr. Reardon's manner, as he thus calmly exculpated himself from
the penalty for future disaster, indicated quite clearly that Cappy
Ricks, in such a contingency, might look to the man higher up--on
the bridge, for instance.

When Terence Reardon had departed Cappy Ricks called Mike Murphy
into the room.

"Now, captain," he began, "there are a few things I want to tell
you. This man Reardon is a fine, loyal fellow, but he's touchy--"

"I know all about him," Murphy interrupted with a slight emphasis