“Indeed, sir, I am very sick,” he said.
As the poor fellow spoke, his face became of a greenish hue, and he sank to the deck, where he lay without sense or motion.
By this time Captain Richmond was intensely irritated, and in his fury he drew back his foot and kicked the prostrate boy brutally.
The poor fellow quivered a little, but he was too far gone in unconsciousness to make any other demonstration.
“Shame! Shame!” was heard from at least two persons who witnessed the captain’s cruelty.
He looked sharply around, and roared out: “Who said that?”
“I did, for one,” responded Guy, pale, but his eyes flashing with indignation.
“Don’t you dare to say it again!” cried the captain, with a volley of oaths.
“I did, for another,” said Abner Titcomb, coming forward, his face stern and threatening.
“You did, eh? You’ll find yourself in irons if you are not careful. I’m not going to have any landlubber interfering with my discipline. D’ye hear that?”