CAPPY RICKS RETIRES

CHAPTER I





If you have read previous tales of the Blue Star Navigation Company
and the various brisk individuals connected therewith, you will
recall one Michael J. Murphy, who first came to the attention
of Cappy Ricks at the time he, the said Murphy, was chief kicker
of the barkentine _Retriever_ under Captain Matt Peasley.
Subsequently, when Matt Peasley presented in his person indubitable
evidence of the wisdom of the old saw that you cannot keep a
good man down, Michael J. became skipper of the _Retriever_.
This berth he continued to occupy with pleasure and profit to all
concerned, until a small financial tidal wave, which began with Matt
Peasley's purchase, at a ridiculously low figure, of the Oriental
Steamship Company's huge freighter, _Narcissus_, swept the cunning
Matthew into the presidency of the Blue Star Navigation Company;
whereupon Matt designed to take Murphy out of the _Retriever_
and have him try his hand in steam as master of the _Narcissus_.

The same financial tidal wave had swept Cappy Ricks out of the
presidency of the Blue Star Navigation Company--presumably far
up the beach to a place in the sun, where he was to bask for the