The cabin boy gave a sharp look about the deck and then hurried into the forecastle.
"I don't want Captain Hannock to see me down here," he explained. "If he did he'd thrash the life out of me."
"Is the captain such a hard man?"
"Is he? Just you wait until something goes wrong and you'll find out quick enough. See here," the cabin boy bared his arm and exhibited several bruises that made me shudder, "he gave me those day before yesterday, just because I wasn't spry enough to suit him."
"He must be a brute!" I exclaimed. "He shall not treat me like that, I can tell you."
"I'd like to see some one stand up against him," said Phil. "None of the men dare to do it."
"What makes you stay on board?"
"I have to. Captain Hannock has charge of me until I'm twenty-one."
"He is your guardian?"
"Yes."