He was very particular about his decks; they were always as white as snow, and nothing displeased him so much as their being soiled.

It was for that reason that he had such an objection to the use of tobacco.

There were spitting-pans placed in different parts of the decks for the use of the men, that they might not dirty the planks with the tobacco-juice.
Sometimes a man in his hurry forgot to use these pans, but, as the mess to which the stain might be opposite had their grog stopped if the party were not found out, they took good care not only to keep a look-out, but to inform against the offender.

Now the punishment for the offence was as follows--the man's hands were tied behind his back, and a large tin spitting-box fixed to his chest by a strap over the shoulders.

All the other boxes on the lower deck were taken away, and he was obliged to walk there, ready to attend the summons of any man who might wish to empty his mouth of the tobacco-juice.