“Do, if you please.”
“On certain conditions, you know.”
“What conditions?”
“That you won’t attempt to run away. But, my lad, it is only a few hours since you said the brig was a very nice place, and you would grow gray in it before you would promise not to leave when you got a good chance.”
“I hadn’t tried it, then. But I think it is an insult to a fellow to put him in here. I would rather be flogged outright.”
“We don’t flog the boys.”
“I would rather take a flogging, and have it done with.”
“That’s one of the reasons why we don’t do it. We don’t want to have it done with till the boy means to do about right. You are a smart boy, my lad; but you have got a heap of bad blood in your veins, which ought to be worked off. If you would only do your duty like a man, you would be comfortable and happy.”
“I never can stay in this ship.”
“Why not?”