"`His Majesty's vessel is much injured in her spars and rigging from the precision of the enemy's fire; her lower rigging--running rigging being cut away, her foremast severely wounded, and, I regret to add, severely injured in the hull; but such was the activity of the officers and men, that with the exception of the foremast, which will require the services of the dockyard, in twenty-four hours we were ready to resume the contest. I am happy to say, that although we have many men hurt, we have none killed; and I trust that, under the care of the surgeon they will, most of them, be soon able to resume their duty.'" "But you had no men wounded?" interrupted Joey. "None wounded! I don't say wounded, I only say hurt. Didn't a dozen of the men, who were hoisting the main-topsail when the fall was cut away, all tumble backwards on the deck? And do you think they were not hurt by the fall?--of course they were; besides, one man nearly had his finger jammed off, and another burnt his hand by putting too much powder to the touch-hole of his carronade. So I continue:-- "`It now becomes my duty to point out to their Lordships the very meritorious conduct of Mr John Smith, an old and deserving officer, Mr James Hammond, Mr Cross, and Mr Byfleet; indeed, I may say that all the officers under my command vied in their exertions for the honour of the British flag.' "You see the commander had quarrelled with some of his officers at that time, and would not mention them. I tried all I could to persuade him, but he was obstinate. "`I have the honour to return a list of casualties, and the names of the vessels taken, and have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, ALCIBIADES AJAX BOGGS. "`Report of killed and wounded on board of his Majesty's brig _Weasel_, in the action of the 23rd of August:--Killed, none; wounds and contusions, John Potts, William Smith, Thomas Snaggs, William Walker, and Peter Potter, able seamen; John Hobbs, Timothy Stout, and Walter Pye, marines. "`Return of vessels captured in the action of the 23rd of August, by his Majesty's brig _Weasel_:--Notre Dame de Misericorde, de Rochelle; La Vengeur, de Bourdeaux; L'Etoile du Matin, de Charent. "`Signed ALCIBIADES AJAX BOGGS, Commander.'" "Well, I'm sure, if you had not told me otherwise, I should have thought it had been a very hard fight."