“Well, what are you staring at?” said the middy, importantly.
“I was only wondering whether you would be able to order the boy to be flogged.”
“Well—er—that is,” said the midshipman, flushing a little; “I—er—said I should give him—er—report it to the captain, who would give the orders on my statement. It’s the same thing, you know, as if I gave the flogging. ‘I’ll give a man a flogging’ doesn’t, of course, mean that I, as an officer, should give it with my own hands. See?”
“Yes, I see,” said Aleck, quietly.
“Sit fast there,” cried the middy to his men, as he began to descend the steps. “Let the young scoundrel go.”
Just then Aleck glanced round and saw that the officer who had gone ashore was returning, followed by the man who had accompanied him, and he turned to Bodger, who stood waiting for orders, before descending again to the boat.
Chapter Eleven.
“I say, Tom,” said Aleck, “that was cleverly aimed, but you had better mind or you’ll be breaking one of the boys’ legs.”