And why ordered to be thus served? As a punishment, of course.
You may smile at the idea, and deem it a joke. But the “punishment of the pump” is one of the most severe that can be inflicted; far more so than either the bastinado, or castigation by the lash. A man may writhe while his back is being scored by the cowskin; but that continuous stream of cold water, at first only refreshing, becomes after a time almost unendurable, and the victim feels as though his skull were being split open with an axe.
What had “Blue Dick”—the plantation sobriquet of the young mulatto—what had he done to deserve such chastisement?
The overseer, hesitating to inflict it, put this question to Blount Blackadder.
“That’s my business, and not yours, Mr Snively. Enough when I say he has deserved; and darn me if he don’t have it. To the pump with him!”
“Your father won’t be pleased about it,” pursued the overseer. “When he comes home—”
“When he comes home; that’s my affair. He’s not at home now, and during his absence I’m master of this plantation, I guess. I hope, sir, you’ll recognise me as such.”
“Oh, sartinly,” grumbled the overseer.
“Well, then, I’ve only to tell you, that the nigger’s got to be punished. He’s done enough to deserve it. Let that satisfy you; and for the rest I’ll be answerable to my father.”