noon
Judging by his usual conduct , I suspect that he would have stood with his arms folded , and let the rest , as he would have said , fight it out by themselves . At daylight the boat pulled away with Mr McIvor and another additional hand , taking a couple of muskets with them . Shortly afterwards the captain appeared on deck -- though he cast frequent angry glances towards the shore , he said nothing -- probably he could not afford to lose so many hands , as there were now four away , besides the two gentlemen , while the aspect of old Tom , with the rest of the crew , kept him from attempting to carry out his evil intentions . Two or three times , notwithstanding this , I thought he was about to order the anchor to be hove up ; but again he seemed to hesitate , and at length , towards noon , the boat was seen coming off , with Mr Duncan and Sam in her . The captain said nothing to the gentlemen , but , as soon as the boat was hoisted up , he began to belabour poor Sam with a rope 's end . He was still striking the lad , when old Tom stepped between them , grasping a handspike . `` What has the lad done , sir ? ''