the door, to acquaint the general that I was below.
He returned, and desired me to follow him. I was conducted into a
large room, where I found him in company with several officers. He
again greeted me warmly, and introduced me to the company as the officer
who had permitted the ladies, who had been taken prisoners, to come on
shore.

"I have to thank you, then, for my wife," said an officer, coming up and
offering his hand.

Another came up, and told me that I had also released his. We then
entered into a conversation, in which I stated the occasion of my having
been wrecked, and all the particulars; also, that I had seen the brig in
the morning dismasted, but that she had weathered the point, and was
safe.

"That brig of yours, I must pay you the compliment to say, has been very
troublesome; and my namesake keeps the batteries more upon the alert
than ever I could have done," said General O'Brien. "I don't believe
there is a negro five years old upon the island who does not know your
brig."

We then talked over the attack of the privateer, in which we were beaten
off. "Ah!" replied the aide-de-camp, "you made a mess of that. He has
been gone these four months. Captain Carnot swears that he'll fight you
if he falls in with you."

"He has kept his word," replied I: and then I narrated our action with
the three French privateers, and the capture of the vessel; which
surprised, and, I think, annoyed them very much.

"Well, my friend," said General O'Brien, "you must stay with me while
you are on the island; if you want anything, let me know."

"I am afraid that I want a surgeon," replied I; "for my side is so
painful, that I can scarcely breathe."

"Are you hurt, then?" said General O'Brien, with an anxious look.

"Not dangerously, I believe," said I, "but rather painfully."

"Let me see," said an officer, who stepped forward; "I am surgeon to the
forces here, and perhaps you will trust yourself in my hands. Take off
your coat."

I did so with difficulty. "You have two ribs broken," said he, feeling
my side, "and a very severe contusion. You must go to bed, or lie on a
sofa for a few days. In a quarter of an hour I will come and dress you,
and promise you to make you all well in ten days, in return for your
having given me my daughter, who was on board of the _Victorine_ with
the other ladies." The officers now made their bows, and left me alone
with General O'Brien.

"Recollect," said he, "th