"I'd do any thing to oblige you, Rice, be sure of that, any thing but give up my authority before the men."
"The men don't know what I'm saying to you. Anyway, jest give orders for 'em to wait till we understand one another."
The mate lifted his hand, at which signal the man who had just raised the lash, which was growing red and wet in the sunshine, dropped it heavily. The thong fell upon the deck, leaving a crimson trail along the white boards, while its holder stood panting and out of breath from the violence of his exercise.
"Well now, Rice, what is the meaning of all this?" said the mate, a little anxiously.
"It don't mean nothing, only this, captin—I won't have that ere nigger struck another blow in this child's hearin'. As for the nigger hisself, I don't care a quid of tobaccer, but human natur' can't stand that sight—at any rate, I cant and won't—so if you expect me to keep a close jaw, order them to let the nigger down at once."
"Hush—speak lower, Rice. You see I must keep up my authority. You can understand that. I'd give the fellow up with pleasure to please you, Rice; but this is the first punishment on board since I came into the command."
"Since you came into the command—jest so."
"And if I give up now, it'll be all day with my authority; and that'll never do."
"There's something in that ere," answered Rice, with an uneasy hitch of his garments, "but then there mustn't be no more flogging afore this little chap, no how. I don't want to be obstroperous neither. Supposing you shut the fellow up, and keep him on bread and water a few days—I shouldn't mind that."
"But, he's a good cook—we can't spare him, Rice."