od adage, but the reverse is
also true. Peaceful pursuits are of a necessity carried out even in the
face of the enemy.

At "evening quarters" new hammocks were doled out, and all hands were
instructed to scrub the old ones next morning and turn them in.

By this time we had become quite expert laundrymen, but we had never
tackled a stiff canvas hammock, and the prospect was far from pleasant;
the following morning, however, we learned how to perform this final
feat of cleansing; after which we felt qualified to wash anything--from
a handkerchief to a circus tent.

As "Hay" said, "I feel equal to applying for the position of general
housework man, if I lose my job. I can sew--you ought to see the
elegant patch I put on the seat of my old blues--I can 'scrub and wash'
clothes, I can sweep beautifully, I can make a bed with neatness and
despatch. And I have been known to get on my knees and scrub the deck."

"You're not the only one," growled Bill. "Why, even 'Dirty Greene'
escapes the aforetime customary 'calling down.'"

Greene was a clever fellow, a student at Harvard, the owner of a yacht,
and a good sailor, but his college education did not help him to get his
clothes clean. That was a study that had been left out of his university
curriculum. The consequence was that he, with a good many others, was
"called down" at every inspection.

"Greene is getting it in the neck now," said his friend "Steve"; "but I
think he will get even some day with his cousin, the lieutenant of his
division."

"How's that?" we chorused.

"Why, you see he owns a schooner yacht. And his cousin, the lieutenant,
is very fond of sailing and never fails to accept an invitation to go
cruising on her. Some day when the lieutenant is aboard, Greene will
look him over and discover that his shoes are not polished, that his
hair has not been combed properly, or his white duck trousers are not
immaculate. He will then be sent below in disgrace to repair these
faults, and our friend Greene will have the merry Ha! Ha! on him. 'He
who laughs last, laughs best.'"

We one and all wished we owned yachts and could invite some of the other
officers--"Cutlets" in particular.

Blockading duty is monotonous work, though the strain on the lookouts is
intense. During the day, a bright lookout must be kept for the lightest
tinge of smoke on the horizon, and at night for the faintest glimmer of
light, or a deeper shadow on the rim of the ocean that would