“I should say they would give him the largest dose the law allows.”
“I’ll do it then, jest to git even with him. I’ll do it even if they don’t reckon it up much to my credit. How’ll I go about it?”
“I’ll arrange that for you. I’ll tell the lieutenant who is in command here that you’re ready to ‘give the snap away,’ and he’ll take your statement. Then, when the time comes you’ll only have to go into court and tell your story over again.”
“But if them fellers finds out I’ve been chinnin’ with the lieutenant they’ll kill me right there on board the ship.”
“The lieutenant will take care of that. He’ll see that they have no chance to get at you.”
“Is that certain—sure—hard an’ fast?”
“Yes—certain, sure, hard and fast,” answered Tom, with a gleefulness that he found it difficult to keep out of his voice and manner.
Going to the lieutenant and interrupting him in the directions he was busily giving, Tom said under his breath:
“Separate the lame man from the rest. He’ll confess, and it’s a big story. The others will kill him if they suspect.”
The lieutenant was quick to catch Tom’s meaning and to act upon it. Turning to a petty officer he gave the order: