“‘As much as we can, sir,’ replied the boatswain, ‘lumbered as the forecastle is with idlers.’ And here Mr. Biggs looked at our hero and Mesty, who were standing against the bulwark. “‘What are you doing here, sir?’ cried Mr. Smallsole to our hero. “‘Nothing at all, sir,’ replied Jack. “‘Then I’ll give you something to do, sir. Go up to the mast-head, and wait there till I call you down. Come, sir, I’ll show you the way,’ continued the master, walking aft. Jack followed till they were on the quarter-deck. “‘Now, sir, up to the maintop gallant mast-head; perch yourself upon the cross-trees--up with you.’ “‘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.’ “‘I tell you, sir, to go to the mast-head: if not, I’ll be d----d if I don’t hoist you up in a bread-bag.’ “‘There’s nothing about bread-bags in the articles of war, sir,’ 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.’ “‘With the greatest pleasure, sir,’ replied Jack; ‘that’s all right and according to the articles of war, which are to guide us all.’ Jack folded up his articles of war, put them into his pocket, and went down into the berth.”