"As you have finished your duties on board of the Bellevite, I desire to reciprocate the kindness of Captain Rombold in attending to Mr. Passford when perhaps he needed the attention of his own surgeon more than our patient, and I desire to have you dress the Confederate commander's wound," said Captain Breaker. "With all my heart!" exclaimed the surgeon earnestly. "I will be with you in a moment, as soon as I procure my material;" and he hurried below. "You will find me with Captain Rombold," added the commander, as he hastened to the deck of the prize. "I am glad to see you again, Captain Breaker," said the Confederate chief very politely. "I have come to tender the services of our surgeon, who has disposed of all our seriously injured men, to dress your wound, in the first instance, for I fear you were more in need of such assistance than my officer when you so magnanimously called Dr. Davidson to dress Mr. Passford's wound. He will be here in a few minutes," returned Captain Breaker, proceeding to business at once. "I am exceedingly obliged to you, Captain, for I am beginning to feel the necessity of attending to my wound. The thirty-pounder, which was to have reduced the ranks of your crew by one-half, as I am assured it would have done, made terrible havoc among my own men. In addition to the dead who have already been committed to the deep, we have a great number wounded," replied Captain Rombold. "The cockpit is full, and I have given up my cabin to the surgeon, who is extremely busy. I accept the services of Dr. Linscott very gratefully." "He is extremely happy to serve you." By this time the surgeon of the Bellevite appeared with one of his mates, and some pleasant words passed between him and his new patient. "Now, where is your wound, Captain Rombold?" asked Dr. Linscott. "In the right thigh," replied the patient; and the bullet hole in his trousers indicated the precise spot. "It will be necessary to remove your clothing, Captain," continued the surgeon. "My cabin is already turned into a hospital, and Dr. Davidson is hard at work there," replied the patient. "I shall have to send for a berth-sack, and let you operate on deck, for"-- "My cabin is entirely at your service, Captain Rombold," interposed the commander of the Bellevite. "It will afford me the very greatest pleasure in the world to give it up to you." "Oh, no, Captain!" exclaimed the sufferer, as he really was by this time. "That is too great a sacrifice." "Not at all; do me the very great favor to accept the use of my cabin," persisted Captain Breaker. "How shall we move him, doctor?" "Call four of your men; we will carry him to your cabin in his chair, just as he sits; and we can do it without incommoding him at all," answered Dr. Linscott, as he sent his mate to call the men required. "Really, Captain,"--the sufferer began, but rather faintly.