“So am I; and, before I have done with you, I shall give you the biggest thrashing you ever had in your life,” said the captain fiercely. “It will be a big licking, then,” added Wade. “I know what a licking is, as well as almost any fellow of my age.” “Who are you? What are you doing on board of this yacht? How did you get on board of her? Where are you going?” demanded Bendig, who had begun to wonder where the fellow came from. “That’s lots of questions; and I don’t believe I can answer them all.” “Who are you? and if you don’t answer me I will tie you up to the rigging, and give you a flogging!” stormed the captain. “Not the least need for the flogging. I am Wade Brooks.” “What are you doing on board of this vessel?” “Nothing except answering your questions. If you want to hire a hand to help sail this yacht, I think I could do my duty; and I will promise to stand by you whenever you want a friend.” “How did you get on board of the yacht?” “I just came on board of her, the same as any one would.” “I don’t believe that. If you had, some one would have seen you. You are a little loafer,--one of those scalawags that hang about the piers, looking out for a chance to steal and a place to sleep. I know you; and I have seen you before, and a lot more just like you. When I have more time to spare, I shall give you a flogging that will teach you never again to put your foot on board of the ‘Moonlight.’” “If you say you can’t accommodate me, that’s enough; and I never will go on board of your vessel again, and without troubling you to flog me,” replied Wade, who did not like the ugly looks of the captain. “I will make sure of you by giving you the licking,” added the skipper. “If you will do such a thing, of course I can’t help myself. I think you will make a mistake if you do any thing of that kind: indeed, I know you will,” said Wade positively. “I will give it to you as soon as I have time to attend to the matter,” added the captain in a savage tone. “When did you come on board?” “If I’m to have the flogging, I guess I won’t answer any more questions,” replied Wade. “You will answer them by and by,” continued Capt. Bendig, moving into the cabin. Wade did not like the idea of being flogged, any better than any other boy of his years would have liked it. It was not pleasant to think of; and he seated himself in the state-room, and tried not to think of it. The burden on his mind was, how to get rid of it; for he was determined not to submit if there was any way to escape it. The presence of the boy on board disturbed Mr. Wallgood very much. He remembered that he had seen the door leading into the captain’s state-room wide open while he and his wife had talked about the business of the excursion. If the stowaway had been concealed under that berth, he might have heard all that was said by his party.