Chapter 3B: The Cowboy Captain of the Cutty Sark
Dates: 1883
During his stint as a Montana cowboy, Scrooge takes a trip on the famous Cutty Sark clipper to deliver two longhorn bulls to the sultan of Djokja in Java for an annual bullteam race. When Scrooge's bulls are stolen, his efforts to get them back results in "a Scottish cowboy steam[ing] into port on a run-aground ship"... and subsequently losing all the money from his sale in paying fees, fines, and bills for the damages caused on this adventure. (Apparently, this was in the days before Hero Insurance.)
This chapter provides examples of:
- Blatant Lies: When recalling how he had lost the money he made selling his longhorns paying for the damages caused by his adventure, Scrooge tells Huey, Dewey and Louie that he handled it with dignity. The nephews don't believe it for a second, and find a photo of the event showing young Scrooge throwing a tantrum.
- The Bus Came Back: Scrooge runs into Ratchet again, who is trying to use geothermic energy to power his latest invention, a prototype car.
- Call-Forward: Captain Moore lends his top hat to Scrooge when the Duck is given the helm of the Cutty Sark. Although he doesn't keep it, Scrooge clearly enjoys wearing it, no doubt contributing to his purchase of one during "The Empire-Building From Calisota"
- Did Not Think This Through: Rachet Gearloose built a prototype car, but it's only when he and Scrooge are speeding towards town does he remember that he forgot to give the thing brakes.
- Not So Stoic: Captain Moore treats every incredible thing that happens around him with the same dour expression, until the last panel he appears in when he smiles from ear to ear. Even his assistant is caught by surprise by the sudden change of expression.
- Pre-Explosion Buildup: Scrooge is part of the Cutty Sark
's crew when they become witness to the eruption of the island of Krakatoa in 1883. At first, everyone on deck just sees an exploding island with no sound; Ratchet points out that light travels faster. Luckily enough, this gives them enough time to prepare for the coming sound burst, heat wave, tsunami, and discharge of volcanic rock that follow. - Rage Breaking Point: Scrooge reactions after losing all his money for paying multiple fees, fines and bills based on Ratchet's picture at the end of the story.
- "Shaggy Dog" Story:
- For Captain Moore — throughout the story, he asks his crew for his camera, and when they finally get it out for a photo opportunity, it gets busted right before he could take a picture.
- Also for Scrooge himself - The enormous stampede Scrooge led into town caused enough damage to warrant hefty fines, making him broke again. The authorities had no claim on the protocar either, as Scrooge had plunged the only prototype into the harbor.
- Un Sound Effect: Literally. Complete with an editor's note explaining exactly why.
