. I had received a splinter in my left arm, and held on longer
than the others who had been maimed, but I could not hold on till the
cutter came. I lost my recollection, and sank. Tom, who was in the bow
of the cutter, perceiving me go down, dived after me, brought me up
again to the surface, and we were both hauled in. The other five men
were also saved. As soon as we were picked up, the cutter followed the
other boats, which continued to advance towards the privateer. I
recovered my senses, and found that a piece of one of the thwarts of the
boat, broken off by the shot, had been forced through the fleshy part of
my arm below the elbow, where it still remained. It was a very
dangerous as well as a painful wound. The officer of the boat, without
asking me, laid hold of the splinter and tore it out; but the pain was
so great, from its jagged form, and the effusion of blood so excessive
after this operation, that I again fainted. Fortunately no artery was
wounded, or I must have lost my arm. They bound it up, and laid me at
the bottom of the boat. The firing from the schooner was now very warm;
and we were within a quarter of a mile of her, when the breeze sprang
up, and she increased her distance a mile. There was a prospect of wind
from the appearance of the sky, although, for a time, it again died
away. We were within less than half-a-mile of the privateer, when we
perceived that the frigate was bringing up a smart breeze, and rapidly
approached the scene of conflict.

The breeze swept along the water and caught the sails of the privateer,
and she was again, in spite of all the exertions of our wearied men, out
of gun-shot; and the first lieutenant very properly decided upon making
for the frigate, which was now within a mile of us. In less than ten
minutes the boats were hoisted in; and the wind now rising fast, we were
under all sail, going at the rate of seven miles an hour; the privateer
having also gained the breeze, and gallantly holding her own.

I was taken down into the cockpit, the only wounded man brought on
board. The surgeon examined my arm, and at first shook his head, and I
expected immediate amputation; but on re-examination he gave his opinion
that the limb might be saved. My wound was dressed, and I was put into
my hammock, in a screened bulk under the half-deck, where the cooling
breeze from the ports fanned my feverish cheeks. But I must return to
the chase.

In less than an hour