I reckon I'll sharpen you up now,' and he hit me a heavy blow with a rattan he held in his hand.

There was a cry of 'Shame!' from some of the men.

As quick as thought the skipper pulled a pistol from his pocket.
"'Who cried "Shame" ?'" he asked looking round.
"No one answered.

Still holding the pistol in his hand he gave me several more cuts, and then told me to swab the deck.

I did it, pretending all the time I was scarce strong enough to keep my feet.