Go up to the mast-head, and wait there till I call you down.

Come, sir, I'll show you the way," continued the master, walking aft.

Jack followed till they were on the quarter-deck.
"Now, sir, up to the main-top gallant mast-head; perch yourself upon the cross-trees--up with you." "What am I to go up there for, sir ?" inquired Jack.
"For punishment, sir," replied the master.
"What have I done, sir ?" "No reply, sir--up with you." "If you please, sir," replied Jack, "I should wish to argue this point a little." "Argue the point!" roared Mr Smallsole--"By Jove, I'll teach you to argue the point--away with you, sir." "If you please, sir," continued Jack, "the captain told me that the articles of war were the rules and regulations by which everyone in the service was to be guided.

Now, sir," said Jack, "I have read them over till I know them by heart, and there is not one word of mastheading in the whole of them." Here Jack took the articles out of his pocket, and unfolded them.
"Will you go to the mast-head, sir, or will you not ?" said Mr Smallsole.

"Will you show me the mast-head in the articles of war, sir ?" replied Jack; "here they are." "I tell you, sir, to go to the mast-head: if not, I'll be d----d if I don't hoist you up in a bread-bag." "There's nothing about bread-bags in the articles of war, sir," replied Jack; "but I'll tell you what there is, sir"; and Jack commenced reading,-- "All flag-officers, and all persons in or belonging to his Majesty's ships or vessels of war, being guilty of profane oaths, execrations, drunkenness, uncleanness, or other scandalous actions, in derogation of God's honour and corruption of good manners, shall incur such punishment as--" "Damnation," cried the master, who was mad with rage, hearing that the whole ship's company were laughing.
"No, sir, not damnation," replied Jack, "that's when he's tried above; but according to the nature and degree of the offence." "Will you go to the mast-head, sir, or will you not ?" "If you please," replied Jack, "I'd rather not." "Then, sir, consider yourself under an arrest--I'll try you by a court-martial, by God.