"Bootstrap. Bootstrap Bill, I never thought you could be so stupid." Those were my words to Bootstrap, as I faced him and his son on the deck of the Flying Dutchman. I slowly shook my head and began to circle them as I talked.
"You've already gotten your son into enough trouble, haven't ye? And now, you have to go and try to help him escape. Why did you ever think it would work? You know me too well, Bootstrap Bill."
I stopped circling, and faced them both. Will's face showed a flicker of fear, but then it disappeared and melted into cold defiance. Bootstrap simply looked at me, then finally said, "What more can you do to me?"
I stared at him. Could this man really be joking with me? "You haven't seen anything yet, Bootstrap Bill."
He laughed coldly, "That I'm sure of."
I glared at him, and then my gaze shifted to Will. "I want both of ye to be down in the brig for the night, until I can think of what to do with ye. Bosun!"
The bosun came up, and I ordered him to put both father and son in the brig. I then retired to my cabin, casting about in my mind fora suitable punishment.
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When morning came, I had decided on at least one punishment for the two of them. I came out onto the deck, and ordered for the both of them to be brought to me. They were thrown down at my feet, and I looked down at them in distaste anddemanded them to get up.
"Now," I said. "I've decided to... reverse yesterday's situation." I held out a whip to William, the same one that had caused him so much pain yesterday. "Look familiar, lad? Do ye have any idea what I want you to do with this?"
He stared at it, and as realization began to dawn on his face he shot me a look of purest hatred. "No. I won't do it."
I chuckled. "Oh, yes, boy. You will do it.Otherwise there'll be worse things yet for both ye and yer father. Now, take it!" I thrust it at him, and he snatched it up, his eyes smoldering in anger.
"I said I won't do it!" he shouted,and struck out at me with the whip. It connected with my cheek, leaving a slim, bloody line down the side of my face.
Immediately two crewmembers grabbed the boy, struggling to restrain him. The whip fell to the ground, and Bootstrap looked at me in horror, clearly fearing for his son.
"You're going to regret that, boy." I hissed, gesturing for them to bring both of them back to the brig.