“‘What am I to go up there for, sir?’ inquired Jack.
“‘For punishment, sir,’ replied the master.
“‘What have I done, sir?’
“‘No reply, sir—up with you.’
“‘If you please, sir,’ replied Jack, ‘I should wish to argue this point a little.’
“‘Argue the point!’ roared Mr. Smallsole—‘by Jove, I’ll teach you to argue the point—away with you, sir.’
“‘If you please, sir,’ continued Jack, ‘the captain told me that the articles of war were the rules and regulations by which every one in the service was to be guided. Now, sir,’ said Jack, ‘I have read them over till I know them by heart, and there is not one word of mast-heading in the whole of them.’ Here Jack took the articles out of his pocket and unfolded them.
“‘Will you go to the mast-head, sir, or will you not?’ said Mr. Smallsole.
“‘Will you show me the mast-head in the articles of war, sir?’ replied Jack; ‘here they are.’