"Aye, aye, sir."
The boy Barclay now received his instructions, and noted the same most diligently.
"Strike well up, not too low. You understand, well across the shoulders."
"Yes, cap'n,"
"And don't be too eager or too quick. Let each stroke tell its own tale."
What were the miserable man's feelings when he heard his torture prepared thus, with such coolness and deliberation, we leave you to imagine.
A momentary pause then occurred, during which every one present looked on with mixed sensations of eagerness and dread.
"One!"
A whizzing noise.
Then a dull, heavy thud, as the thongs came in contact with the culprit's back and shoulders.