He found time to run down to Hampton Roads with Gideon Welles, his loyal Secretary of the Navy, to inspect the ships assembled there. He saw a narrow door bound with iron.
"What is that?" he asked sharply.
"Oh, that is the sweat box," the Secretary replied, "used for insubordinate seamen——"
"Oh," the rugged giant exclaimed, "how do you work it?"
"The man to be punished is put inside and steam heat is turned on. It brings him to terms quickly."
The tall figure bent curiously examining the contrivance:
"And we apply this to thousands of brave American seamen every year?"
"Undoubtedly."
"Let me try it and see what it's like."
It was useless to protest. He had already taken off his tall silk hat and there was a look of quiet determination in his hazel-grey eyes.