n the surgeons proposed to drop another man, and
attend to him, he replied, "No, no, doctor, none of that. Fair play's
a jewel. One man's life is as dear as another's; I would not cheat any
poor fellow out of his turn." Surely history nowhere records more
noble generosity. Soon after this, when Farragut was standing on the
deck, a little negro boy came running up to inquire about his master,
Lieut. Wilmer, who had been knocked over by a shot. On learning his
master's fate, he leaped over the taffrail into the sea, and was
drowned.

After the "Essex" had been formally surrendered, boats were sent to
convey the prisoners to the British ships. In one of these Farragut
was carried to the "Phoebe," and there fell into a second battle, in
which the victory remained with him. "I was so mortified at our
capture that I could not refrain from tears," he writes. "While in
this uncomfortable state, I was aroused by hearing a young reefer call
out,--

"'A prize! a prize! Ho, boys, a fine grunter, by Jove.'

"I saw at once that he had under his arm a pet pig belonging to our
ship, called 'Murphy.' I claimed the animal as my own.

"'Ah,' said he, 'but you are a prisoner, and your pig also!'

"'We always respect private property,' I replied; and, as I had seized
hold of 'Murphy,' I determined not to let go unless 'compelled by
superior force.'

"This was fun for the oldsters, who immediately sung out,--

"'Go it, my little Yankee. If you can thrash Shorty, you can have your
pig.'

"'Agreed,' cried I.

"A ring was formed in an open space, and at it we went. I soon found
that my antagonist's pugilistic education did not come up to mine. In
fact, he was no match for me, and was compelled to give up the pig. So
I took Master Murphy under my arm, feeling that I had in some degree
wiped out the disgrace of the defeat."

When the British ships with their prize returned to the quiet waters
of the harbor, and began to take account of damages, it was found that
the "Essex" had indeed fought a losing fight. On the "Phoebe," but
four men were killed, and seven wounded; on the "Cherub," one killed
and three wounded, made up the list of casualties. But on the "Essex"
were fifty-eight killed, and sixty-six wounded; while an immense
number of men were missing, who may have escaped to the shore or may
have sunk beneath the waves. Certain it is some swimmers reached
shore, though sorely wounded. One man had rushed on deck with his
clothing