He walked forward and found the captain near the steps that led to the bridge.
In reply to Merry's inquiry, the captain said: "Oh, don't worry about him.

There are rats down there in the hold, but I guess he'll be able to fight them off.

He'll have bread and water the rest of the voyage." After that Merry could not help thinking of Harris all alone in the darkness of the hold, with swarms of rats around him, eating dry bread, washed down with water.
Frank felt that the youthful villain did not deserve any sympathy, but, despite himself, he could not help feeling a pang of pity for him.
When he expressed himself thus to his friends, however, they scoffed at him.
"Serves the dog right!" flashed Diamond.

"He is getting just what he deserves, and I'm glad of it!" "He will get what he deserves when we reach the other side," grunted Browning.
"No," said Merry; "he is an American, and he'll have to be taken back to the United States for punishment." "Well, he'll get it all right." "Well, I don't care to think that he may be driven mad shut up in the dark hold with the rats." This feeling grew on Frank.

At last he went to the captain and asked liberty to see Harris.
The request was granted, and, accompanied by two men, Frank descended into the hold.
Down there, amid barrels and casks, they came upon Harris.