"Have done, I say!" thundered Jefferson. "Enough of this!"
"Excuse me, sir," said the captain, "we have a duty to perform. I can understand that it is not pleasant to you, but—"
"Seven," sang out Joe Basalt, drowning every voice.
Down came the whip again.
And as the thongs struck the lacerated flesh of the wretched man he gave a piercing shriek.
It sounded more like the cry of some wild animal than the utterance of a human being.
"Eight."
"Fetch the doctor," exclaimed Harkaway.
Young Jack, who was secretly glad of an excuse to begone, ran off and brought the doctor up from below.
"Doctor Anderson," said Harkaway hurriedly, "I believe sincerely that this man has earned all he has had and a great deal more."