Quick and stern came these words from Abner Titcomb:
“If you kick that boy again, Captain Richmond, by the heavens above me I’ll fell you to the deck and kick you!”
There was something so resolute in Titcomb’s words and manner that Captain Richmond, furious as he was, was impressed in spite of himself.
“Mr. Titcomb,” he said, “I can have you arrested and imprisoned for what you have said.”
“If you don’t desist at once I will report your brutality to the American consul at the first port at which we stop, and demand your trial!”
As has already been said, Captain Richmond, though a bully, was a coward, and he did not dare to follow up his brutal treatment, much as he desired to do so.
“You may find that someone else will report to the consul,” he said, sullenly. “You will find, sir, that it is a serious thing to interfere with discipline on board ship.”
James Low moved slightly, opened his eyes, and seemed coming out of his stupor.
Captain Richmond bent over, seized him by the shoulder, and raised him to his feet.
“Now go below,” he said. “You will be kept on bread and water for the next twenty-four hours.”