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XXIV.
CHARLIE GETS INTO TROUBLE

Charlie, at first taken by surprise when the charge of theft was brought against him, now looked scornfully indignant. Ignorant of the ways of the world, and the wickedness of which some men are capable, he never, for a moment, feared the result of the investigation. As for the crew, they had already become interested in his favor, and now pitied him for the unfortunate position in which he found himself placed. None of them believed him guilty.

As the captain had directed, his chest was brought on deck.

Before this was searched, however, he was subjected to a personal examination, at which nothing was discovered. There was a murmur of satisfaction.

"The lad never stole the ring," said a stout seaman, standing next to the real perpetrator of the crime, Antonio.

"Don't be too sure of that," said the Spaniard, in a malignant tone. "His chest hasn't been searched yet."

"I don't care for that; I can tell by his face. A lad, with such a figure-head as that, wouldn't do anything mean or dishonorable."

"You seem to have taken a great fancy to him," sneered Antonio. "You mustn't trust too much to appearances. He looks to me as if he were guilty."

Charlie's cheeks were flushed, but not with shame or confusion. It was indignation, that he should be suspected of such a disgraceful crime.

By his side stood Bill Sturdy, who took an opportunity of whispering into his ear, "Never you mind, my lad, even if the ring is found in your chest."

"But it isn't there," said Charlie.

"It may be," said Bill, who, by this time, suspected the nature of Antonio's two errands below.

"How should it be there?" asked Charlie quite in the dark.

"It might have been put there, my lad."

"But who could put it there?" persisted our hero, but little enlightened.

"Hark you, my lad," said Bill, still farther lowering his tones; "you've got more than one enemy on board this ship."

"The mate?"

"Yes, and the captain too, for that matter."

"But neither of them would put the ring in my chest."

"No, probably not."

"Then who would?"

"There is another enemy besides these two."

"Do you mean Antonio?"

"Yes."

"But he seemed friendly lately."

"He isn't to be trusted, my lad. He's borne a grudge against both of us ever since I got the better of him the other day, and he's made up his mind to be revenged. I've been watching him when he didn't suspect it, and know more than he thinks I do."

"Do you know anything of this affair, Bill?" asked Charlie, looking up hopefully into the face of his friend.

"I expect I do."

"What is it?" questioned our hero, eagerly.

"I shall save it till it will do some good. But see, they have nearly finished searching your chest. Perhaps the ring is not there after all."

As Bill said, the search was nearly completed. Charlie's clothes had been unceremoniously tumbled out upon deck, which was not calculated to improve their appearance, and the captain and mate, who had shown themselves particularly active on the occasion, were peering about in search of the lost ring.

It chanced, however, that the ring had got in a fold of one of the shirts which lay upon deck. Of course, therefore, the search in the chest proved unavailing.

"I doubt whether it is here," said the captain, in a tone of disappointment.

"Let us look a little longer," said the mate, who could not so easily resign the chance of getting into trouble the boy whom he hated with a malevolence such as his nature was capable of.

Antonio became alarmed at the prospect of all his plans being frustrated by a failure to find the ring.

When the mate also gave up the search, he came forward, and, addressing the captain, said,—

"Captain Brace, if you will let me assist in the search, perhaps I can succeed in finding it."

"You are the one that saw the boy have it, are you?" queried the captain.

"Yes, sir."

"How long since?"

"About half an hour."

"Why did you not mention it at the time?"

"I thought perhaps he had only picked it up, and would give it back to you," said the Spaniard, in some confusion. "I didn't want to charge him with the theft till I felt sure he meant to steal it."

"And what makes you feel sure he did so intend?"

"Because when you said the ring was lost, he did not come forward and restore it."

"Ay," said Captain Brace, "that is strongly against him. If it is found that he has concealed it anywhere, he shall repent it, by–"

It is unnecessary to stain our pages by printing the oath with which he emphasized this assertion.

"What reason have you for supposing that he concealed it in his chest?" asked the mate.

"Because I saw him go down below," answered Antonio, with unblushing falsehood.

"It's a lie," said Charlie, boldly. "I haven't been below this morning."

"Silence!" thundered the captain, scowling menacingly; "don't add falsehood to theft."

"I haven't been guilty of theft," said Charlie boldly.

"Silence!" again thundered the captain, "or it will be the worse for you."

"You had better not say anything more, my lad," whispered Bill Sturdy; "we shall yet bring you off with flying colors. Don't you fear. Bill Sturdy is your friend, and he will stand by you."

Charlie looked grateful.

When his statement had been so unequivocably denied by our hero, Antonio suffered himself to look at him for one instant, but in that brief glance was concentrated so much of spite and venom and malice, that the boy could not help shuddering, as if the countenance of a fiend had been unexpectedly revealed to him.

"I think, Captain Brace," said Randall, "that we may venture to let Antonio assist us, since he may succeed where we have failed."

"Very well," said the captain, "I have no objection to offer. On the contrary, if he succeeds in finding it, I will take care that he shall be rewarded."

Antonio was already on his knees before the chest. There was a murmur of disapprobation among the crew. They were in favor of fair play, and this undue eagerness to convict our hero of guilt did not commend itself to their sense of justice and generosity. But Antonio cared little for the sensation which his conduct might excite among his fellow-seamen. He cared more for the gratification of his revenge than for personal popularity.

A glance satisfied him that the ring was not in the chest. He next began to examine carefully the clothes which had been taken out and were lying on deck.

In lifting and shaking a shirt the ring rolled out.

"There is your ring, Captain Brace," said he, in a tone of exultation, as he picked it up and extended it to the captain.

XXV.
THE REAL CULPRIT IS DISCOVERED

The discovery of the ring made a profound impression upon all present. The sailors looked at first surprised, and then sorrowful, for they could not escape the conviction that Charlie had been tempted by the richness of the prize and had actually stolen it.

Charlie was overwhelmed with astonishment and indignation, and the thought that he was considered guilty made him feel very uncomfortable.

The captain, the mate, and Antonio could hardly conceal the satisfaction which this discovery afforded them. Each had motives of his own, the captain being, of course, glad to recover an article which he valued, but of the three perhaps there was none that felt a more malicious satisfaction than the one who had devised the plot. He glanced exultantly at Charlie and Bill Sturdy, who he knew would be equally affected by his favorite's misfortune.

Bill Sturdy returned his glance composedly. Antonio was disappointed to find that he neither looked disturbed nor frightened. Bill waited calmly the course of events.

Captain Brace exclaimed in his harsh voice, "It seems we have a thief on board. We'll soon teach him the way all such rascals will be treated on board this ship. Boy, take off your jacket."

"Captain Brace," said Charlie, with glowing cheeks, and in a tone that might have convinced any one not prejudiced against him, "just hear what I am going to say. I didn't steal your ring, indeed I didn't. I would scorn to do such a thing. Ever since I could speak my mother has taught me how mean a thing it is to take what belongs to another. I own that appearances are against me."

Here Randall stepped forward with an evil smile upon his face.

"Captain Brace, as I am the uncle of this boy, perhaps you will allow me to tell you how much dependence can be placed upon his word. He is an artful young rascal. I am sorry to say it, since he is related to me, but the fact is, he was on the point of being arrested for theft just before we sailed, when I, to protect him from imprisonment, and snatch him from the custody of the law, took him to sea with me. I have said this against my will, because, although I know you, Captain Brace, would not be imposed upon by his story, I thought there might be others that would."

The sailors looked at each other, not knowing what to think, while the captain exclaimed, sternly, "So this is not the first of your tricks, my fine fellow. You shall have justice done you on the sea, if not on the land. Strip, I tell you."

Charlie was so thunderstruck by Randall's bold falsehood that he actually had nothing to say. He mechanically began to take off his jacket.

At this moment the clarion voice of Bill Sturdy was heard, as, hitching up his trousers a bit, he left the mast against which he had been leaning, and advanced into the midst of the assembled sailors.

"Captain Brace," he said, in a tone firm but respectful, "if you'll allow me, I'll tell you what I know of this affair."

"So you know something about it, do you?"

"I thought so," said Randall, in a low voice, for he had disliked Bill from the first.

"I do," was the composed reply, "but I have no reason to be ashamed of what I do know."

"I think," said the mate, "we already know all that we require, since we have discovered the thief."

He was apprehensive, from Bill's tone, that what he had to say might put a different face on the matter, and perhaps clear Charlie.

Captain Brace, however, did not choose to be guided by the implied advice of his first officer. He had a curiosity to learn what Sturdy had to communicate.

"Say on; what do you know of this affair?"

"Very well, sir. About an hour ago you came up from the cabin and began to pace the deck."

The captain assented.

"As you passed I observed one of the crew take a hasty glance at your finger. I looked also, and saw that you were not wearing your ring as usual."

"Well?"

"The sailor that I mentioned just now."

"Who was he?"

"I would rather not mention his name just at present, unless you insist upon it."

The captain did not insist, and Sturdy proceeded.

"I thought I would just keep my eyes open, and see what followed. Pretty soon the sailor I spoke of looked about him to see if he was unnoticed, and crept slyly down below. A little later he came up and went to work again."

"Was that all?"

"It was not," answered Sturdy. "He kept at work about ten minutes longer, and then stole towards the forecastle with the same secrecy as before. I should have followed him down, but I thought he would notice me. My mind misgave me that he was in some mischief. I determined I would remember what happened, and if anything turned up, I should know how it came about."

"And what do you make of all this?" said Randall, sneering. "To my mind it is a foolish story, and, even if true, amounts to nothing."

"I'll tell you what I think, and am about sure of, Mr. Randall," said Bill, without betraying a particle of excitement, but continuing to speak with the same calm composure as before, "I believe that man in the first place stole the captain's ring, and then went and put it into the lad's chest, in order that it might be found there, and the guilt fixed on him."

This assertion made a sensation among the crew, and there was a general feeling that Charlie was innocent.

"Who is this man of whom you have been speaking?" said the captain.

"I don't need to name him," said Bill. "I don't need even to look at him. If you will look around you, Captain Brace, you can tell by his looks who the man is that has hatched this wicked plot against an innocent boy."

Instantly the eyes of all, as if by some common impulse, were fixed upon the form of Antonio, who, confused, thunderstruck by the minute detail of his movements, which he had supposed unnoticed by any one, now stood with his face alternately flushing and paling, looking the very picture of confession and detected guilt.

Unable to bear the glances fixed upon him, he exclaimed, in a voice hoarse with passion, "It is false. I never did it."

"No one has accused you that I know of," said Bill Sturdy, coolly. "Leastways, nobody that I know of, excepting yourself, and your face is enough to do that. However, I don't mind saying that you are the man I mean. If Captain Brace will take the trouble to remember, you are the first one that thought of searching for the ring, and told him falsely that you had seen it in the hands of that lad there. Then again, when the chest had been searched, and the ring couldn't be found, you came forward and offered to look for it yourself, and finally you did find it. That's all I've got to say, only, if you are not the real thief I am a liar, and so is that face of yours."

Carried away by his rage, Antonio, forgetting the prudence which his past experience might have taught him, threw himself suddenly upon Bill Sturdy, and nearly succeeded in laying him prostrate upon the deck.

XXVI.
A STORM BREWING

Antonio's assault was so unexpected that Bill Sturdy, being, of course, quite unprepared for it, staggered and seemed about to fall. But, as one who slips upon the ice instinctively makes an effort to preserve his equilibrium, so Sturdy immediately recovered from the momentary disadvantage, and seizing Antonio with both hands threw him to the deck without any great apparent effort.

Probably if Antonio had gained the advantage, Captain Brace would have been in no haste to put a stop to the conflict. As it was, his brows knit with anger as he exclaimed, in a stentorian voice,—

"Stop this fighting, you lubbers! Don't you know better the respect which is due to my presence, you—rascals! I'll let you know that I am not to be insulted on my own deck."

"It wasn't a fight of my seeking, Captain Brace," said Bill, coolly. "I ain't disposed to be quarrelsome, and I guess he won't want to try it again immediately."

As he said this he glanced at Antonio, who, sorely bruised by the fall, was slowly rising from the deck, and slinking away with a crestfallen and malignant look. Had he not been moved by an uncontrollable impulse of rage and disappointment, he would scarcely have ventured upon this open attack, knowing, as had been incontestably proved, that he was no match for the Herculean strength of Bill Sturdy.

"Silence!" roared the captain, in answer to Bill's vindication of himself. "One would think from your manner that you were the captain of this ship instead of me."

"If I were the captain," said Bill, bluntly, "I'd have that man," pointing to Antonio, "put ashore at the first port. I wouldn't harbor such a rascal aboard the ship."

"Silence!" again thundered the captain. "Don't you know your place? If you don't, by all the saints in the calendar, I'll make you know it before twenty-four hours have passed over your head. Let me tell you that I don't require any help in commanding this vessel. When I do, I will call on you. Till then, you may keep your advice to yourself."

Bill shrugged his shoulders, but thought it prudent, on the whole, to say nothing. Not that he feared for himself. He had a good deal of confidence in the strength with which nature had endowed him, but he feared that any unguarded words of his might incite the captain and mate to visit new hardships upon his young protégé, Charlie.

"As to the matter of the ring," said the captain, "my mind is not made up. Mr. Randall, will you attend me?"

The mate went below with Captain Brace.

After a moment's silence the captain said, "I don't like that fellow, Mr. Randall."

"Do you mean Antonio?"

"No; this Sturdy, who takes such airs upon himself."

"Neither do I," answered Randall, promptly.

"He's a mutinous rebel. I can see it in his eye," pursued the captain.

"I have no doubt he would be if he had a good opportunity."

"Perhaps I shall give him one," said the captain, significantly.

"He's as strong as a bull," said the mate.

"Yes; the fellow has fists like sledge-hammers, but he may use them once too often. We will speak of that hereafter. Now what do you think of this robbery?"

"I suppose Antonio was the thief," said Randall, reluctantly.

"You think Sturdy's story is correct?"

"Yes; Antonio is a deep rascal, though of the two I hate Sturdy most."

"Did you suppose your nephew to be the thief before the latter told his story?"

"I did not."

"Yet you countenanced the charge."

"Because I thought a flogging would do the boy no harm."

"You don't seem to have any great affection for your nephew."

"I do not."

"And the reason?"

"Is simply this. The boy's mother jilted me, or rather refused me outright when I offered my hand in marriage."

"Ha, that's where the shoe pinches."

"You are right."

"Well, I don't care to interfere with any little private revenge you may desire to take, as long as it chimes in with my own purposes. The boy shall be flogged if you wish it."

"I do."

"Find some pretext then, as long as the charge of robbery won't serve."

"Then," said Randall, "you might announce that, although the charge of theft had not been sustained, he had been guilty of an offence that called for punishment—insolence to his officers."

"That is a good idea. And in regard to Antonio–"

"I have no doubt the rascal stole the ring, and deserves punishment, but I don't want him flogged, as it would gratify Sturdy too much."

"My own feeling."

"You can say that you have been unable to determine who is guilty in the matter, and shall wait for further evidence."

"Very well conceived, Mr. Randall. I shall follow your advice, and thank you for it."

"I am glad to have been of service to you, Captain Brace."

"And now, Mr. Randall, if you will go on deck, I will be up presently."

The mate reappeared on deck with a satisfied air, occasionally looking with a glance of triumphant spite at Charlie, who was standing beside his tried and trusty friend, Bill Sturdy.

"You don't know what's in store for you, my lad," he muttered. "Pity his mother could not be here to see his fair flesh quivering under the keen lash. Her heart would feel every stroke. She might repent then, the scorn with which she repelled the suit of John Randall. How I hate that boy! He brings up his father before me. So much the better. When he shrinks beneath the lash, I shall think it is my old rival upon whom it is falling."

Bill Sturdy, meanwhile, said in a low voice to Charlie, "I don't like the looks of the mate this morning. He's hatching mischief of some kind, if I'm not greatly mistaken."

"Against us?"

"That's what I mistrust, my lad; against one or both of us. He hates us both, and I ain't quite sure which he hates the most."

"And yet I never did him any injury."

"Then he's done you some harm, depend upon it. People hate worst those they have injured most, and he's done you a great wrong in stealing you from home."

"What do you suppose made him do that, Bill?"

"He had some private reason; there ain't a question about that. It wasn't because we were in want of a boy. We might have picked up plenty that would have been glad to come."

"I'm afraid you'll get into trouble with him for taking my part," said Charlie, with some anxiety.

"Don't trouble yourself about me," said Sturdy, shrugging his shoulders. "I ain't in any way frightened by his black looks, and if he tries to do you any mischief, he'll find you've got one friend."

Before Charlie had an opportunity to reply, Captain Brace came on deck, and looked around him with a glance that showed a storm was brewing.

XXVII.
THE LASH

"Pipe all hands to see punishment inflicted," ordered Captain Brace.

Charlie and Bill Sturdy looked at each other, uncertain where the blow was to fall.

"It must be Antonio," thought our hero.

Evidently Antonio was of the same opinion, for over his swarthy face there stole a pallor which showed his apprehension.

Such was the understanding of the crew also, as they could think of no other wrongdoer. Little pity was excited in behalf of the supposed sufferer. He had so abused his position when champion of the crew, that he had forfeited the good-will of all; and even if this had not been the case, his treacherous and mean attempt to bring Charlie into trouble would have been sufficient to bring him into disfavor.

The uncertainty as to the victim was dissipated by the captain's next words.

"Jack Randall, come here!"

Charlie came forward.

"Boy," said Captain Brace, sternly, "you were guilty of insolence to me this morning. This shall never go unpunished while I am in command of a vessel. As to the ring, you may or may not have stolen it. It rests between you and Antonio. As it cannot be proved of either, neither will be punished on this account."

Antonio's sallow face lighted up with joy at this unexpected escape, a joy which was not reflected on the faces of the crew.

"It is for insolence, therefore, and not on account of theft," pursued the captain, "that I sentence you, Jack Randall, to a dozen lashes on the bare back. Off with your jacket!"

Charlie was a brave boy, but the prospect of this ignominious punishment caused his check to pale and his voice to tremble, as he exclaimed, "Captain Brace, if I have been guilty of insolence or want of proper respect to you, it was not intentional. Do not compel me to submit to this disgraceful punishment."

There was a movement of sympathy among the crew, and more than one heart softened at the sight of Charlie's manly front, though his lips quivered, and pride alone kept back the tears from his eyes. Bill Sturdy started, but checked himself, to hear what the captain would say in response.

"It is too late," he said, coldly. "You should have thought of all that before you indulged in insolence."

"But–"

"It is too late, I say," roared the captain, irritated. "Strip, you young rascal, or you shall have some help about it, and that of a rough kind."

It seemed as if all chance of escape was over for poor Charlie. But at that moment Bill Sturdy pressed forward, and, hitching up his trousers, as he was wont to do preparatory to speaking, said, in a distinct tone of voice, "Captain Brace."

"Well?" said the captain. "What have you to say?"

"I should like to make a proposal to you, sir."

"A proposal," repeated the captain, mystified. "What am I to understand by that?"

"It's just this, Captain Brace. You're the captain of this vessel, and you've got a right to flog that boy, I suppose, according to the law.

"Of course I have," said the captain, fiercely. "Do you presume to question that right?"

"I don't think proper to question it just now," said Bill; "but, Captain Brace, just look at that boy. Look at his bright, honest face, and you can't have the heart to abuse him."

"Abuse him!" exclaimed the captain, stamping on the deck in his fury; "say that again, and I'll have you flogged with him."

"It was something of that kind that I was going to propose," said Bill Sturdy.

Captain Brace stared at him in astonishment, a feeling which was shared by the crew.

"If you want to be flogged," said the captain, grimly, "we will try to accommodate you."

"It is in this way that I mean," exclaimed Bill. "I've taken a liking to that lad, and I've promised him I'll stand his friend. Now, Captain Brace, if somebody must be flogged, spare him, and flog me in his place."

Surprise was depicted on every face, and the sunburnt and rough-visaged men about him felt an involuntary thrill of respect and admiration, as Sturdy manfully came forward and offered his own back to the punishment, which is properly regarded as an insult to manhood, though the disgrace attaches not to the one who endures, but to the one who inflicts it.

Charlie was the first to speak. His generous heart revolted at the idea of escaping punishment at the expense of his friend.

"No, Bill Sturdy," said he, manfully, "I don't want you to suffer in my place. It'll be hard to bear it," and his lip quivered; "but it would be weak and cowardly for me to let anybody else suffer in my place."

Charlie began to take off his jacket.

There was a murmuring among the crew, testifying to the excitement which they felt.

"Put on your jacket, my lad," said Bill. "I'm older and tougher than you, and I can bear it better."

And the stout seaman pulled off his shirt, and displayed his brawny shoulders, and a chest whose breadth and depth betokened a strength which could not be styled less than Herculean.

Antonio looked on, his eye blazing with vindictive joy. Whichever was flogged, his satisfaction would be equal.

"Hark you!" exclaimed Captain Brace, interfering at this juncture. "I think that I shall choose to have a voice in this matter. So you wish," turning to Sturdy, "to relieve this boy of his punishment, do you?"

"I do," said the old seaman.

"I don't want him to," interrupted Charlie. "It is mine, and I will bear it."

"It seems the parties are not agreed," said the captain, sardonically.

"Spare him," said Bill Sturdy, his eyes resting affectionately on Charlie. "He is so young."

"Perhaps the best way in which I can please you both is to divide the punishment between you. I had sentenced this lad to receive twelve lashes. Since you wish to do him a service, you shall receive six, and he the other six."

"I do not consent," said Sturdy, comprehending the captain's purpose to humiliate both. "If his back is to receive a single lash, my offer will not save him from the disgrace, and that is worse than the pain."

At this juncture the mate whispered something in the captain's ear.

The face of the latter lighted up with satisfaction, and his next words revealed the nature of the mate's suggestion.

"I consent to the substitution," he said, and then paused.

Bill Sturdy's face glowed with generous satisfaction, and with heroic forgetfulness of self, he began to strip for punishment.

A moment, and his back, broad and ample, was bared and the thick, corded muscles could be seen.

"Antonio, come forward," said Captain Brace.

Antonio advanced amid the general surprise of the crew, and somewhat to his own, and stood still, awaiting orders.

"Now," said Captain Brace, his tone showing his malignant satisfaction. "I appoint you as my deputy to administer twelve lashes to this man; mind that you don't spare him."

Antonio did not need this injunction. His eyes were full of fiendish triumph, as he seized the instrument of torture, and flourished it above his head.

As for Bill Sturdy, when he knew that Antonio was to be employed to inflict punishment upon him, this refinement of torture shook his resolution for a moment. It was, indeed, the bitterest drop in the cup. But not for an instant did his resolution falter. He would save Charlie at all hazards. He quickly recovered himself, and said, in a firm voice, "I am ready."

Instantly the lash was whirled aloft, and buried itself in his flesh.

There was a quiver, and that was all.

One—two—three—four—

In fast succession the blows fall upon his flesh, he meanwhile standing firmly braced, though his cheek was paler than its wont.

Charlie's heart sickened, and he closed his eyes to shut out the fearful spectacle.

As for Antonio, he seemed to revel in the task which had been assigned him. His eyes fairly danced with baleful light, and he seemed almost beside himself. It was this, perhaps, that led him to exceed by one the strokes which he had been ordered to administer.

A moment after, and the lash was wrested from him by Bill Sturdy, who threw him to the deck, with one powerful grasp tore the covering from his back, and buried the lash which had scarred his own back in the flesh of his late executioner who with face distorted with fright and pain roared for mercy.

"That is to pay for the blow you struck on your own account, you scoundrel," exclaimed Sturdy. "And now," as the lash descended once more with prodigious force, and the victim fairly writhed under it, "you are one in my debt."