"
"Can't a man ask a question here without being flogged?"
"No," shouted the captain; "nobody shall open his mouth aboard
this vessel, but myself;" and began laying the blows upon his back,
swinging half round between each blow, to give it full effect. As he
went on, his passion increased, and he danced about the deck,
calling out as he swung the rope;- "If you want to know what I flog
you for, I'll tell you. It's because I like to do it!- because I like
to do it!- It suits me! That's what I do it for!"
The man writhed under the pain, until he could endure it no
longer, when he called out, with an exclamation more common among
foreigners than with us-"Oh, Jesus Christ! Oh, Jesus Christ!"
"Don't call on Jesus Christ," shouted the captain; "he can't help
you. Call on Captain T---, he's the man! He can help you! Jesus Christ
can't help you now!"
At these words, which I never shall forget, my blood ran cold. I
could look on no longer. Disgusted, sick, and horror-struck, I
turned away and leaned over the rail, and looked down into the
water. A few rapid thoughts of my own situation, and of the prospect
of future revenge, crossed my mind; but the falling of the blows and
the cries of the man called me back at once.
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