The frigate, I should have said, was to call on her way back for some of the soldiers whom those we took out had come to relieve. Our approach had been seen by the officers at the barracks, which were situated about a mile from the town; and they came down to welcome their comrades in arms. Leaping on shore, the rocks which formed the landing-place being slippery, I fell, and came down on my knees with great force. I felt that I was severely hurt, and on attempting to rise, found it impossible to do so, even with the assistance of Larry, who sprang to my side, uttering an exclamation of sorrow. On this, one of the officers, whom I perceived by his dress to be a surgeon, came up to me, and at once examined my hurt. "It requires to be instantly attended to," he said, "or inflammation may set in, and in this climate the consequences may be serious." My friend Duffy proposed that I should be carried to the barracks, though my lieutenant at first objected to letting me go, declaring that he should not be long in getting back to the ship. "Long enough to allow of the young gentleman losing his leg, or perhaps his life," remarked the surgeon. "I'll have him at once taken to a house in the town, and when your frigate comes back, I hope he'll be in a condition to embark." Hearing this, the lieutenant not only gave me leave to remain, but allowed Larry to stay and attend on me. Tom Pim took my hand as Duffy and some of his men were placing me upon a door, which had been procured to carry me into the town. "I wish that I was going to stay with you, Paddy," he said; "but it's of no use to ask leave, though I'd give a great deal if I could. We shall be very dull without you." "Thank you, Tom," I answered. "If I had my will I'd rather go off. I suppose the doctor is right; and it's safer to let him attend to me at once." I was carried immediately to a house which I found belonged to a Mr Hans Ringer, an attorney, who had charge of several plantations in that flourishing neighbourhood. The doctor and he, it was evident, were on most intimate terms, for on our arrival, without any circumlocution, the latter at once said-- "I have brought a young midshipman who requires to be looked after, and I'd be obliged to you if you'd order your people to get a room ready for him immediately." I could scarcely have supposed that so serious an injury could have been so easily inflicted. Soon after my arrival I nearly fainted with the pain, but the doctor's treatment at length soothed it, and he was able to set the injured bones. I must make a long story short, however.