“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.”
“I tell you, sir, to go to the mast-head if not, I’ll be damned if I don’t hoist you up in a bread-bag.”
“There’s nothing about bread-bags in the articles of war,” replied Jack; “but I’ll tell you what there is, sir,” and Jack commenced reading:
“All flag officers, and all persons in or belonging to his Majesty’s ships or vessels of war, being guilty of profane oaths, execrations, drunkenness, uncleanness, or other scandalous actions, in derogation of God’s honour, and corruption of good manners, shall incur such punishment as—”
“Damnation,” cried the master, who was mad with rage, hearing that the whole ship’s company were laughing.
“No, sir, not damnation,” replied Jack, “that’s when he’s tried above; but according to the nature and degree of the offence—”
“Will you go to the mast-head, sir, or will you not?”
“If you please,” replied Jack, “I’d rather not.”
“Then, sir, consider yourself under an arrest—I’ll try you by a court-martial, by God. Go down below, sir.”