The Sea Lions; Or, The Lost SealersCooper, James Fenimore
General
The Sea Lions; Or, The Lost Sealers
Cooper, James Fenimore
Sea stories; Sealers (Persons) -- Fiction
Daggett was obviously relieved by Roswell's pledges; for, amid the
anguish and apprehensions of his unexpected state, his thoughts had most
keenly adverted to his vessel and her fortunes. Now that his mind was
somewhat relieved on this score, the pains of his body became more
sensibly felt. The situation of our party was sufficiently embarrassing.
The leg of Daggett was certainly broken, a little distance above his
ancle; and various bruises in other places, gave notice of the existence
of other injuries. To do anything with the poor man, lying where he was,
was out of the question, however; and the first thing was to remove the
sufferer to a more eligible position. Fortunately it was no great distance
to the foot of the mountain, and a low level piece of rock was accessible
by means of care and steady feet. Daggett was raised, between Roswell and
Stimson in a sitting attitude, and supporting himself by putting an arm
around the neck of each. The legs hung down, the broken as well as the
sound limb. To this accidental circumstance the sufferer was indebted to a
piece of incidental surgery that proved of infinite service to him. While
dangling in this manner the bone got into its place, and Daggett instantly
became aware of that important fact, which was immediately communicated to
Roswell. Of course the future mode of proceeding was regulated by this
agreeable piece of information.
Sailors are often required to act as physicians, surgeons and priests. It
is not often that they excel in either capacity; but, in consequence of
the many things they are called to turn their hands to, it does generally
happen that they get to possess a certain amount of address that renders
them far more dexterous, in nearly everything they undertake, than the
generality of those who are equally strangers to the particular act that
is thus to be exercised. Roswell had set one or two limbs already, and had
a tolerable notion of the manner of treating the case. Daggett was now
seated on a rock at the base of the mountain, with his legs still hanging
down, and his back supported by another rock. No sooner was he thus
placed, than Stimson was despatched, post-haste, for assistance. His
instructions were full, and the honest fellow set off at a rate that
promised as early relief as the circumstances would at all allow.
As for our hero, he set about his most important office the instant
Stimson left him. Daggett aided with his counsel, and a little by his
personal exertions; for a seaman does not lie down passively, when
anything can be done, even in his own case.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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