In a few minutes the messenger returned with the master-at-arms, who saluted the officer of the deck, who in turn gravely saluted him. Herc, feeling that he should do something, saluted each of them in turn, concluding his respectful motions with a deep bow. Neither officer, however, paid any more attention to the lad than if he had been carved out of wood. "Master-at-arms!" began the officer. "Yes, sir," responded the master-at-arms, bringing his heels together with a sharp click. "There has been a flagrant breach of discipline here, which it is my duty to report to the captain at once. You will place this man, Ordinary Seaman Taylor, under restraint, and arraign him at the mast at one o'clock with the other prisoners." "Yes, sir," nodded the master-at-arms, edging up to the dismayed Herc. "Kennell, if you wish to prefer a complaint against this man Taylor, you may," went on the officer. "I do, sir, certainly," said Kennell earnestly, through the paint that smothered his face; "but first, sir, I should like to clean this mess off, sir." "You will be relieved from duty while you do. Carry on, men." The officer of the deck faced about and walked aft; no doubt to acquaint the captain with the details of the occurrences on the forward deck. "Come, wake up," said the master-at-arms to Herc, who was in a semi-stupor at the horrifying idea that he was under arrest. "Come with me." "What! I'm to be locked up?" gasped Herc. "Yes, in the brig." In an instant the recollection of the boys' conversation with old Tom on the day they joined the ship flashed into Herc's mind. So then "the brig" that the old tar had been so reluctant to talk about, was the place in which they locked up malefactors and disgracers of the service, of whom it seemed he was one. Poor Herc felt ready to drop with shame and humiliation as--under the eyes of the hundreds of jackies going about their various tasks--he was marched aft by the master-at-arms. There was only one drop of relief in his bitter cup. It came when Ned pressed forward, at the risk of being severely reproved. "Never mind, Herc, old fellow," he breathed. "I know you were in the right, and I'll see that Kennell gets what's coming to him, if it's the last thing I do." "Come, sir! carry on," snapped the master-at-arms, who had pretended not to notice the first part of this conversation, being a really kind-hearted man, although bound by discipline, just as is every one else in the navy; "you must know it is a breach of discipline to talk to prisoners." Prisoners! Poor Herc groaned aloud. "Come, come," comforted the master-at-arms, "it isn't as bad as all that. I am confident that you can clear yourself. Besides, it is your first offense, and you are a recruit, so perhaps the old man will be easy on you." "It isn't that, so much as it's the disgrace of being arrested like this," burst out Herc.