'Mother Hubbub' will then open the blue-covered book that he carries, and read you things that will make your hair stand on end and cause you to consider the best wording for your last will and testament." "Patt" was very impressive, and we stood with open mouths and staring eyes.
"When old 'Hubbub' opens the book, all hands, even the captain, will take off their hats and stand at attention.

Then the war articles will be read to you.

You will learn that there are twenty-seven or more offences for which you are liable to be shot--such as sleeping on post, desertion, disobedience, wilful waste of Government property, and so forth; you will be told that divine service is recommended whenever possible--in short, you are told that you must be good, and that if you are not there will be the deuce to pay.

Then the captain will turn to 'Scully' and say, 'Pipe down,' whereupon 'Scully' and the other bosun's mates will blow a trill on their pipes, and all hands will go about their business." So concluded our oracle.
"Gee whiz!" said the "Kid." "I nearly got into trouble the other night, for I almost dozed when I was on the buoy.

I'm not used to getting along on eleven hours' sleep in forty-eight yet," he added, apologetically.
We all looked forward to "general muster" with a good deal of interest, and when it occurred, and the captain had inspected our persons, clothes, the ship, and mess gear, we decided that "Patt's" description fitted exactly, and were duly impressed with its solemnity.
We found to our sorrow that we of Number Eight's crew were not to enjoy sunshine undisturbed, but were soon put to work carrying coal in baskets from the after hold forward, and dumping it in the bunker chutes.
This work had been going on almost every day, and all day, since we left Tompkinsville.