“Yes, I—no; no, I didn’t.”
“Yes, he did, Mr. Schwartz,” said the captain, who had been a witness to the whole proceeding. “He did. Lay that messenger over his shoulders, and do it so smartly that he will know one the next time he sees it.”
The mate swung one end of the heavy rope in the air, and Guy, with a piercing cry of terror, sprang away and took to his heels; but not in time to escape the blow. The rope fell across his shoulders with such crushing force that Guy wilted under it as if every bone in his body had been broken by the concussion. As he scrambled to his feet he was met by the captain.
“Go for’ard—don’t come back here,” said that officer, emphasizing his command with a push that once more made Guy measure his length on deck. “You don’t belong here. Go for’ard, you lubber.”
“Come here,” said the mate, shaking his fist at Guy. “Come here and get a handspike.”
Guy understood this order. He knew what a handspike was and what to do with it after he had got it. Dodging around the other side of the deck to avoid passing the mate, he found one of the implements, and shipping it into the capstan began heaving around with the rest, who were by this time at work hoisting the anchor. He kept one eye on the mate all the while, for he was afraid that he might have more punishment in store for him. And he had. When Guy came around within reach of him the officer suddenly lifted a short rope which he had kept concealed behind him, and rained the blows upon the boy’s shoulders in a perfect shower. Guy endured it until he believed that the mate had determined to beat him to death, and then he dropped the capstan bar and run for his life.
“Come back here!” shouted the mate.
“Murder! murder!” screamed Guy, crouching close against the side, and holding both hands before his face.
“Yes, yes,” said the officer, seizing him by the collar and throwing him back toward the capstan. “You’ll sing that tune a good many times before you see the last of me. I’ll learn you how to rate yourself the next time you ship.”
“I didn’t want to ship as able seaman,” sobbed Guy, “but Smith——”