"Come, hammocks have been piped down for five minutes. Have you stowed yours?" demanded the boatswain's mate sharply.
"Yes, sir," replied Ned, who had performed this office both for himself and for his friend.
"Well, you will turn to with the first deck division and scrub decks."
"Very well, sir," said Ned, starting forward to where he saw a number of jackies, armed with swabs, preparing to begin the first daily task on a man-o'-war. Scrubbing and painting and cleaning brasswork are a Jackie's chief tasks at sea.
"But hold on a minute—your boots."
The boatswain's mate glared downward disapprovingly.
"Have I lost those, too?" moaned Herc.
"Take off your boots, at once. Footgear is not allowed while scrubbing decks."
"Very well, sir. Come, Herc, we must go forward."