cuaP.i.] Hdward thrashed terribly. 53 
“will you say now that you did not bring it?” “Idid not; 
indeed, sir, I did not!” ‘‘ Well, then, take that,” giving ia 
a number of tremendous lashes along his back. ‘“‘ Well, 
now?” “TJ did not!” The master went on again: “It’s 
your own fault,” he said, “for not confessing your crime.” 
“But I did not bring it,” replied Edward. “Tl flog you 
until you confess.” And then he repeated his lashes, upon 
his hands, his shoulders, and his back. Edward was a mere 
mite of a boy, so that the taws reached down to his legs, 
and smote him there. ‘ Well, now,” said the master, after 
he was reduced to his last effort, “did you bring it?” “No, 
sir, I did not!” 
The master sat down exhansted. “ Well,” said he, “ you 
are certainly a most provoking and incorrigible devil.” The 
master had a reddish nose, and a number of pimples on- 
his face, which were of the same hue. When he got into a 
rage, it was observed that the protuberances became much 
brighter. On this occasion his organ became ten times red- 
der than before. It was like Bardolph’s lantern in the poop. 
Some of the boys likened his pimples to large driblets of 
blood. 
After resting for a while in his chair, Edward standing 
before him, he called to the boy whom he had first brought 
to his assistance, “‘ William, bring forward that thing!’ The 
boy brought forward the paper, on which lay a bruised cen- 
tipede. “ Now, then,” said the master, “did you not bring 
that venomous beast here?’ “TI did not, sir!’ The whole 
school was now appealed to. “ Did any of you see Edward 
with that beast, or any other beast, to-day or yesterday ?” 
No answer. “Did any of you see Edward with any thing 
last week or the week before?’ Still no answer. Then, 
after a considerable pause, turning to Edward, he said, ‘“‘ Get 
your slate. Go home, and tell your father to get you put 
on board a man-of-war, as that is the best school for all 
irreclaimables such as you.” So saying, he pointed to the 
door. Tom got his slate and his books, and hurried down- 
