The crew and officers followed the captain up the hatchway; but it was not until after repeated orders that the mate laid hold of Sam, who made no resistance, and carried him to the gangway.

``What are you going to flog that man for, sir?’’ said John, the Swede, to the captain.

Upon hearing this, the captain turned upon John; but, knowing him to be quick and resolute, he ordered the steward to bring the irons, and, calling upon Russell to help him, went up to John.

``Let me alone,’’ said John. ``I’m willing to be put in irons.  You need not use any force’’; and, putting out his hands, the captain slipped the irons on, and sent him aft to the quarter-deck.  Sam, by this time, was seized up, as it is called, that is, placed against the shrouds, with his wrists made fast to them, his jacket off, and his back exposed.  The captain stood on the break of the deck, a few feet from him, and a little raised, so as to have a good swing at him, and held in his hand the end of a thick, strong rope.  The officers stood round, and the crew grouped together in the waist.  All these preparations made me feel sick and almost faint, angry and excited as I was.  A man—­ a human being, made in God’s likeness—­ fastened up and flogged like a beast!  A man, too, whom I had lived with, eaten with, and stood watch with for months, and knew so well!  If a thought of resistance crossed the minds of any of the men, what was to be done?  Their time for it had gone by.  Two men were fast, and there were left only two men besides Stimson and myself, and a small boy of ten or twelve years of age; and Stimson and I would not have joined the men in a mutiny, as they knew.  And then, on the other side, there were (beside the captain) three officers, steward, agent, and clerk, and the cabin supplied with weapons.  But beside the numbers, what is there for sailors to do?  If they resist, it is mutiny; and if they succeed, and take the vessel, it is piracy.  If they ever yield again, their punishment must come; and if they do not yield, what are they to be for the rest of their lives?  If a sailor resist his commander, he resists the law, and piracy or submission is his only alternative.  Bad as it was, they saw it must be borne.  It is what a sailor ships for.  Swinging the rope over his head, and bending his body so as to give it full force, the captain brought it down upon the poor fellow’s back.  Once, twice,—­ six times. ``Will you ever give me any more of your jaw?’’ The man writhed with pain, but said not a word.  Three times more.  This was too much, and he muttered something which I could not hear; this brought as many more as the man could stand, when the captain ordered him to be cut down, and to go forward.