"I see, I see," said the first lieutenant, "your mouth wants overhauling, and your teeth cleaning.

I wish we had a dentist on board; but as we have not, I will operate as well as I can.
Send the armourer up here with his tongs." When the armourer made his appearance, the boy was made to open his mouth, while the chaw of tobacco was extracted with his rough instrument.

"There now," said the first lieutenant, "I'm sure that you must feel better already; you never could have had any appetite.

Now, captain of the afterguard, bring a piece of old canvas and some sand here, and clean his teeth nicely." The captain of the afterguard came forward, and putting the boy's head between his knees, scrubbed his teeth well with the sand and canvas for two or three minutes.

"There, that will do," said the first lieutenant.
"Now, my little fellow, your mouth is nice and clean, and you'll enjoy your breakfast.