He took a whip from the cabin and tossed it out to Joe.
“Next time that hoss does that,” he said, “whip ’im! Don’t let him do it again.”
“No, sir! I—I’ll try not to.”
Even as Joe spoke Old Charlie stopped, turned, and looked back at him with melancholy eyes.
“Go on, Charlie!” entreated Joe; “that’s a good fellow, go on!”
But Charlie stood still, half-turned in his tracks, in mute remonstrance. It was new business to him, and he had not a favorable opinion regarding it. The leading horse, nothing loath, had also stopped.
“Whip ’im!” shouted Captain Bill from the boat, which, with its impetus, was bearing rapidly down on horse and boy. “Thrash ’im!”
Joe lifted the whip and let it fall lightly on the horse’s back.
“Get up, Charlie!” he cried; “get up now, quick!”
“Oh, whip ’im!” cried the captain. “Give ’im a good un!”