If the men behind the guns and the men running the engines did not do their work rapidly and well, disaster and disgrace would follow.
As we neared the scene of conflict, the discipline grew more and more strict.

Before a man realized that he had done anything wrong, his name would be called by the master-at-arms and he would be hauled "up to the mast" for trial.
"You ought to see the gang up at the mast," said "Stump," one bright afternoon.

"'Mac' and 'Hod Marsh' have gathered enough extra duty men to do all the dirty work for a month." "What were you doing up there ?" asked a bystander.
"Why, I thought I heard my name called, and as discretion is the better part of valor, I lined up with the rest, and I was glad I did, too, for it was good sport." "Maybe you thought it was sport, but how about the chaps that were 'pinched'?
Who was up before the skipper, anyhow ?" "Oh, there was a big gang up there--I can't remember them all; 'Lucky Bag Kennedy' was there, for being late at general quarters the other day.

When the captain looked at him in that fierce way of his and asked what he had to say for himself, 'Lucky Bag' said he didn't realize the time.

The skipper could hardly keep his face straight.