It was thought easier to wash skins than jumpers, so many were decorated in wonderful fashion.
"You would make a 'professor of tattooing' wild with envy," said Greene to "Steve," as the latter appeared over the rail.
"Well, I don't know," retorted "Steve," "I am thinking of reporting you for misappropriating government property.

You've got more paint on yourself than you put on the ship." After a day and a half of dreary work we had the satisfaction of seeing the vessel's sides one uniform color from stem to stern.

It was a big job for such a short time and our arms ached at the very thought of it.
The sides painted, our attention was given to the decks.

They were swabbed thoroughly, first with a damp swab, and after they were entirely dry the spar deck was covered with red shellac, this being applied with a wide varnish brush.

The gun deck was then taken in hand and treated in the same way.
By Saturday night the ship was as fine as a "brand new jumping-jack before the baby sucked the paint off." Some of the men still suffered from black-and-blue spots, which, however, a little turpentine liniment would have banished.
Rumors were rife that we would be bound for New York shortly, but few believed them; the circulators themselves certainly did not, of that we felt sure.
"The idea!" said "Mourner," who, though ready to swallow most rumoristic pills, could not manage this one.