"You will find all the wounded I have dressed in the steerage; those they have brought me down dead are in the cockpit. There have been five amputations already the master is badly wounded, and Mr Williams the mate, is killed: those whom I have not been able to attend to yet, are here in the gun-room. You must ascertain what the captain wishes to know yourself, Mr Keene. I cannot, leave a leg with the arteries not taken up, to count heads. Mr Rivers, the tenaculum--ease the tourniquet, now." As I felt what the doctor said to be true, I got a lantern and commenced my examinations. I found fourteen wounded men waiting the doctor's care in the gun-room, which was almost a pool of blood. In the steerage there were nine who had been dressed, and four in their hammocks, who had undergone amputation of the arm or leg. I then went down into the cockpit, where I counted eleven of our best men lying dead. Having obtained the information required, I was proceeding up the cockpit ladder, when I turned towards the purser's steward's room, and saw Mr Culpepper, the purser, on his knees before a lantern; he looked very pale--he turned round and saw me. "What's the matter?" cried he. "Nothing, sir; only the captain wishes to know how many men are killed and wounded." "Tell him I do not know: surely he does not want me on deck?" "He wants to know how many men are hurt, sir," replied I, for I perceived that he thought that the message was sent to him. "Mercy on me! Stop a minute, Mr Keene, and I'll send up word by you." "I can't stop, sir," replied I, going up the ladder. Mr Culpepper would have called me back, but I preferred leaving him in his error, as I wished to see which he most dreaded, the captain's displeasure or the shot of the enemy. I returned on deck and made my report. The captain looked very grave, but made no reply. I found that the two frigates were now lying stern to stern, and firing occasional guns, which raked fore and aft. Except the men who worked the guns aft, our people were lying down at their quarters, by the order of the captain. "If we only had but a capful of wind," said the captain to the first lieutenant, "but I see no appearance of it." I touched my hat and said, "The moon will rise in about ten minutes, sir, and she often brings the wind up with her." "That's true, Mr Keene, but it's not always the case. I only hope she will; if not, I fear we shall lose more of our men." The firing continued, and our main-mast had received so many shots, that we were obliged to hold it for its support. While so employed, the moon rose, and the two vessels had now a good view of each other. I directed my glass to the horizon under the moon, and was delighted to perceive a black line, which promised wind; I reported it to the master, and the promise was kept good, for in a quarter of an hour our sails flapped, and then gradually filled. "She has steerage way, sir," reported Bob Cross.