CHAPTER XXI.
ONE REASON WHY MEN-OF-WAR'S MEN ARE, GENERALLY, SHORT-LIVED.
I cannot quit this matter of the hammocks without making mention of a grievance among the sailors that ought to be redressed.
In a man-of-war at sea, the sailors have _watch and watch;_ that is, through every twenty-four hours, they are on and off duty every four hours.

Now, the hammocks are piped down from the nettings (the open space for stowing them, running round the top of the bulwarks) a little after sunset, and piped up again when the forenoon watch is called, at eight o'clock in the morning; so that during the daytime they are inaccessible as pallets.

This would be all well enough, did the sailors have a complete night's rest; but every other night at sea, one watch have only four hours in their hammocks.

Indeed, deducting the time allowed for the other watch to turn out; for yourself to arrange your hammock, get into it, and fairly get asleep; it maybe said that, every other night, you have but three hours' sleep in your hammock.

Having then been on deck for twice four hours, at eight o'clock in the morning your _watch-below_ comes round, and you are not liable to duty until noon.