The man who did the whipping had a thick piece of sole-leather, the end of which was cut in three strips, and this tacked on to the end of a paddle.

After the charges and specifications had been read (both men being stark naked), the whipper "lit in" on Rube, who was the youngest.

I do not think he intended to hit as hard as he did, but, being excited himself, he blistered Rube from head to foot.

Thirty-nine lashes was always the number.

Now, three times thirty-nine makes one hundred and seventeen.
When he struck at all, one lick would make three whelps.