e devoured; and there was a
beam of satisfaction in his eye. Oh, it was very evident that Yankee
Swope was about to enjoy himself.

The poor squarehead cowered backward, and Swope stepped forward and
drove his clenched list into the boy's face, smashing him against the
cabin skylights. The boy cried out with pain and fear, the blood
gushing from his nose, and, placing his hands over his face, he tried
to escape by running forward. Swope, the devil, ran beside him,
showering blows upon his unprotected head, and as they reached the
break of the poop he knocked the boy down. Then he gave him the boots,
commenced to kick him heavily about the body, while the boy squirmed,
and pleaded in agonized, broken English for mercy. It was a brutal,
revolting exhibition. I was an untamed forecastle savage, myself, used
to cruelty, and regarding it as natural and inevitable, but as I stood
there at the wheel and, watched Yankee Swope manhandle that boy I
became sick with disgust and rage. Aye, and with fear, for what was
happening to the squarehead might well happen to me!

The boy ceased to squirm under the impact of the boots, and his pained
cries were silenced. Then the captain ceased his kicking, though he
did not cease the silky-toned evil curses that slid from his lips. He
leaned over the bruised, insensible form, grasped the clothes, and
heaved the boy clear off the poop, much as one might heave aside a sack
of rubbish. So the little squarehead vanished from my ken for the time
being, though I heard the thud of his body striking the deck below.

Swope stood looking down at his handiwork for a moment; then he swung
about and came aft, brushing invisible dirt from his clothes as he
walked. When he drew near, I saw his eyes were bright with joyous
excitement; yes, by heaven, Captain Swope was happy because of the work
he had just done; he was a man who found pleasure in inflicting pain
upon others! He paused at my side, glanced sharply at me, then aloft
at the highest weather leech, for I was steering full and by. But he
found no cause for offense, and after damning my eye to be careful, he
turned away and commenced pacing up and down. I was in a furious rage
against the man. But when he looked at me my knees felt weak, and I
answered his words respectfully and meekly indeed. God's truth, I was
afraid of him!

Oh, it was not his size. Yankee Swope was only of medium build; I was
much the better man physically,