The assistant surgeon who had belonged to the
schooner was at the hospital, and there was not one to replace him when
we sailed. However, we had one of the men belonging to the hospital--a
sort of dispenser--who knew very well how to manage anything that was
not very serious.

The breeze had gradually died away, and we did not go more than three
miles through the water; and as our sails were much torn, we did not
hold so good a wind. The consequence was that the distance between us
and our antagonist was, by two o'clock, decreased to half a mile, and
the fight became very warm. Our broadside guns were now called into
play, and assisted us very much, as we directed them chiefly at her
sails and rigging, while our long thirty-two-pounder was fired at her
hull, pointed below her water-line. She had the advantage in number of
guns, certainly; but our large shots from the long gun were more
destructive.

About three we knocked away her fore-topmast, which enabled us to shoot
ahead about a quarter of a mile, and increase our distance, which was a
boon to us, for we latterly had suffered very much. We had eight men
wounded and one of my poor middies killed; and we had received several
shots in the hull. Now that we had increased our distance, we had a
better chance, as our long gun was more effective than those of the
brig. At five o'clock it fell dead calm, and both vessels lay with
their heads round the compass; this was also in our favour, as we could
train our long gun on its circular bend in any direction we pleased; but
the brig contrived, by getting sweeps out of her bow ports, to bring her
broadside to bear upon us, and the action continued till night closed
in.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

As it may be supposed, my men were completely worn out with the fatigue
and excitement of the day; and Cross said, "There's no saying how this
will end, Mr Keene; but, at all events, we have not the worst of it at
present."

"No, Bob," replied I. "I wish the men were not so knocked up."

"Oh, as for that, sir, I'll answer for it, that if you serve out some
more grog, make them eat half a biscuit at the tub before they drink it,
and make them a little bit of a speech, that they'll go on for
twenty-four hours more."

"If that will have the effect, I'm sure I'll try it," replied I. "Which
shall they have first?"

"Oh, biscuit first, grog next, and then a speech afterwards."

"That fellow has not fired for this last f