Then the pledge book was brought out and placed on one of the big
guns, and about forty signed.
On H.M.S. _Topaze_ the grog tub was used as a table for signing the
pledge book, one sailor remarking (to the tub): "Sixty odd nails in
your coffin to-day, old fellow! If they all hold firm I would not give
much for your life."
At the present day on board every ship in the service there is a
branch of the Royal Navy Temperance Society, and thus our sailors are
being encouraged to become sober as well as gallant men.
Having seen to Jack's welfare afloat, the next thing was to look after
him on shore; for though the song says:--
If love's the best of all that can a man befall;
Then Jack's the king of all--for they all love Jack;
yet as a matter of fact there are always sharks on the look-out to
cheat and rob Jack whenever he has money in his pocket.
Miss Weston took counsel with some officers in the service, and
engaged a room for meetings at Devonport. The first Sunday one boy
alone came, and next Sunday not a solitary lad made his appearance; so
Miss Wintz, in whose house she was staying, offered a kitchen as more
homely, and tea and cake as an attraction.
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