It was understood that ere he left England he had promised a dying sister that he would not touch intoxicants again, and hitherto was faithful to his vow. He received the sympathy of the captain, officers and crew. As his pay would henceforth be stopped, though he were supporting a widowed mother, this sympathy took a practical form. A subscription list was opened, and all subscribed. In this way his poor mother received her half-pay as formerly, the captain sending it home monthly. As a matter of fact he had served a previous term of imprisonment, which was much in his disfavour, and he knew full well this would be taken into consideration by the court. With this thought weighing upon his mind, and whilst waiting his turn to appear before his judges, he wept like a child--he who was always so brave, courageous and manly. This is a touching instance--an instance of a poor soul striving to do right, striving to be faithful, amid daily temptation, to a sister who had gone before, yet because in a moment of weakness he was overtaken in a fault, he was treated in such a harsh and cruel manner. Certainly discipline must be maintained in the service, and had the matter been settled by the captain, his punishment would have been very lenient in comparison with that meted out by the court. But the boatswain demanded a court-martial. I will not dilate on his action, but remember the Master's words--"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Concerning minor punishments, they were meted out almost daily, such as fourteen days in a cell, seven days IOA or IOB. To be confined in a cell is the penalty for returning on board ship intoxicated, or for breaking several days' leave. For prudential reasons the knife and lanyard of a seaman is taken away when the sentence of cell confinement is passed. In his cell he has to pick a pound of oakum daily, which is weighed every night by the ship's corporal, and his food consists of bread and water, and for the greater part of the confinement he is deprived of his bedding. Let me give an amusing incident in connection with cell punishment. We had shipped at St. John's a young man as an assistant to the captain's cook. Departing from the naval rule of discipline, he received seven days' cell seclusion. One night when the doctor went his usual round asking each prisoner if all were well, this poor fellow replied: "No, sir, I have not enough to eat; I should like a pound of cheese from the canteen." Needless to add he obtained no cheese, and his very request indicates how greatly he lacked knowledge concerning naval discipline, but he learned it in the school of experience.