There was a movement of sympathy among the crew, and more than one heart softened at the sight of Charlie's manly front, though his lips quivered, and pride alone kept back the tears from his eyes. Bill Sturdy started, but checked himself, to hear what the captain would say in response.
"It is too late," he said, coldly. "You should have thought of all that before you indulged in insolence."
"But——"
"It is too late, I say," roared the captain, irritated. "Strip, you young rascal, or you shall have some help about it, and that of a rough kind."
It seemed as if all chance of escape was over for poor Charlie. But at that moment Bill Sturdy pressed forward, and, hitching up his trousers, as he was wont to do preparatory to speaking, said, in a distinct tone of voice, "Captain Brace."
"Well?" said the captain. "What have you to say?"
"I should like to make a proposal to you, sir."
"A proposal," repeated the captain, mystified. "What am I to understand by that?"
"It's just this, Captain Brace. You're the captain of this vessel, and you've got a right to flog that boy, I suppose, according to the law.
"Of course I have," said the captain, fiercely. "Do you presume to question that right?"