He had won his way up to the rank he then held from before the mast.

His build was rather squat, and his face was garnished with a pair of fiery red whiskers, so he was no beauty, added to which he was reckoned one of the most rigid martinets in the service; yet, for all that, his crew liked him, for they knew his heart was in the right place.
"'See, my man,' said he, 'take this package, and rig yourself out in the toggery it contains.' "I obeyed this order, and soon after stood before him, in a pair of jack-boots, with a slouching sort of tarpauling hat on my head, so that I might either have passed for a manner out of luck or a dustman.
"'Well,' said the lieutenant, laughing, 'now you have quite the air of the hulks about you.' "This remark not being very complimentary, I did not feel called upon to make any reply.
"'You know,' he continued, 'that the brig is short about a dozen hands, and I want you to pick up a few likely lads here.

I understand there are a number of able-bodied seamen skulking about the public-houses, where they will likely remain as long as their money lasts.

I should like to secure as many of them as possible, and then capture a few stout landsmen to make up the number; but, in the first place, I want you to go and find out the best place to make a razzia.' "I stared when I found myself all at once promoted to the post of pioneer for a party of kidnappers, and muttered something or other about honor.
"'Honor, sir!' roared the lieutenant, 'what has honor to do with it, sir?
It is duty, sir.

It is the laws of the service, sir, and you must obey them, sir.' "'But it is hard, your honor,' said I, 'that the laws of the service should force men to do what they think is wrong.' "'And what right, sir, have you to think it is wrong, or to judge the acts of your superiors?
If the laws of the service order you fifty lashes at the yard-arm to-morrow, you will find that you will get them.