r places in hold and store room. The
men went to their quarters, and so stood till the bugler blew "retreat."

The time not devoted to drills was taken up in getting the ship ready
for the serious work she was to undertake.

All woodwork on the gun deck not in actual use was carried below or
thrown overboard, and the great cargo booms were either taken down and
stowed safely away, where the splinters would not be dangerous, or were
covered with, canvas.

These preparations had a sinister look that made us realize, if we had
not done so before, that this was real war that we were about to engage
in--no sham battle or manoeuvres.

The men went about their work more quietly and thoughtfully, for one and
all now understood their responsibilities. If the ship made a record for
herself, the crew would get a large share of the credit; and if she
failed to do the work cut out for her, on the crew would be laid the
blame. 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. 'Four hours,' he
said, and that was all there was to it."

"Poor 'Lucky Bag,'" came from all sides as "Stump" paused to take
breath.

"Then there was 'Big Bill,' the water tender," continued "Stump." "He
was hauled up for appearing on the spar deck without a uniform. When the
skipper asked him what h