hot-holes. At length the breeze reached us, and as it
filled our sails the crew cheered in anticipation of being able soon to
get to closer quarters with the enemy. After making numerous tacks, two
of our squadron got up to two of the French ships, which seemed in no
way disposed to refuse battle. While our gallant commodore closed with
the _Renomme_ we engaged the _Clorinde_. The fight soon gave work for
our surgeons, and I went below, as I had undertaken to do, to help them.
As I left the deck I cast a glance at my young brother, who had charge
of a division of the guns, and was standing on the deck cheering on the
men, full of life and animation. The shots were thickly flying about
his head; any moment one might lay him low. I could but offer up a
prayer for his safety.

The surgeon and his mates were already at work. I hung up my coat and
tucked up my sleeves, prepared to assist them. I will not describe the
scene of suffering I witnessed. Most of the poor fellows bore their
agony with wonderful fortitude. Two officers had been brought below
wounded. I kept looking up anxiously every time I saw the feet of men
descending the ladder, dreading that they might be bringing down my
young brother. Still I kept praying for his safety while I followed the
surgeons' directions. A young seaman had been brought down fearfully
wounded. I had remarked him on several occasions among the most active
and zealous of the crew. The surgeon examined him. He did not groan--
indeed, he did not appear to suffer much pain.

The surgeon shook his head. "I can do nothing for him," he whispered to
me. "You may be able, perhaps, to speak a word of comfort, and there is
nothing just now for you to do."

I was rather surprised at the surgeon saying even thus much. Perhaps
the light of the lantern, which at that moment fell on my countenance,
revealed my thoughts, for he added, "I was asked to look after the lad,
whose mother is a widow, and, God help me! I have done little for him,
and now it is too late."

The young seaman was placed on a hammock opened out on the deck of the
cockpit. I knelt down by his side, and, after repeating such passages
out of the Word of life as occurred to me, I engaged in prayer. He
followed me in a low voice. Suddenly he was silent. I looked toward
him; the immortal spirit had taken its flight from his frail body.
Still the battle raged; more of our poor fellows were brought down, and
I o