He gave a hard laugh.
"I'll do just as I please. Lowell!"
There was no answer. The captain repeated the call in a louder tone, and presently the boatswain came hurrying down the stairs.
"What's up, Captain?"
"I've found him," replied Captain Hannock grimly. "Prying through my private papers!"
"What?"
"Jest so! Come, get some rope. We'll teach him a lesson he won't forget."
Lowell left the cabin at once. I wondered what the skipper of the Spitfire intended to do next. Was he going to flog me?
I was not prepared for what was to follow. In a moment Lowell returned with a quantity of stout rope.
"Now bind him well from head to foot," said the captain.