No answer; and then came wrestling and heaving, as though the man was trying to turn him.
"You may as well keep still, for I have got you!" said the captain, who repeated his question.
"I never gave you any," said Sam, for it was his voice that we heard.
"That's not what I ask you. Will you ever be impudent to me again?"
"I never have been, sir," said Sam.
"Answer my question, or I'll make a spread-eagle of you!"
"I'm no negro slave!" said Sam.
"Then I'll make you one!" said the captain; and he came, to the hatchway, sprang on deck, threw off his coat, and, rolling up his sleeves, called out to the mate, "Seize that man up, Mr. A--! Seize him up! Make a spread-eagle of him! I'll teach you all who is master aboard!"
The crew and officers followed the captain up the hatchway, and after repeated orders, the mate laid hold of Sam, who made no resistance, and carried him to the gangway.
"What are you going to flog that man for, sir?" said John the Swede to the captain.