Meantime, some of the crew whispered among themselves in applause of their ship-mate's nerve; but the greater part were breathlessly silent as the keen scourge hissed through the wintry air, and fell with a cutting, wiry sound upon the mark.

One dozen lashes being applied, the man was taken down, and went among the crew with a smile, saying, "D----n me! it's nothing when you're used to it! Who wants to fight ?" The next was Antone, the Portuguese.

At every blow he surged from side to side, pouring out a torrent of involuntary blasphemies.

Never before had he been heard to curse.

When cut down, he went among the men, swearing to have the life of the Captain.