"And if we don't have to go chasing an imaginary Spaniard or lug coal from the after hold forward, we'll be in luck," he continued.
"What about the 'ship's bible'?
What is 'general muster' ?" queried half a dozen of us.
"Why," said "Patt," "the ship's bible is the book of rules and regulations of the United States Navy.

It is read once a month to the officers and crew of every ship in the navy.

The officers and crew will be mustered aft--you'll see--the deck force and engineer force on the port side, the petty officers on the starboard side forward, the commissioned officers on the starboard side aft, and the marines athwartships aft.

This forms three sides to a square.

See ?" "I don't see the use of all this," broke in the irreverent "Kid." "Do we have to stand there and have war articles fired at us ?" "That's what, 'Kid,'" replied "Patt," good-naturedly.
"After all hands have taken their places," continued our informant, "the 'old man' will walk down the galley ladder in that dignified way of his, followed by the executive officer.