short by the loud roar of the
guns overhead, as the frigate opened her fire on the enemy. Then
speedily came the crashing sound of the return shot, as they tore
through the stout planks, and split asunder even the oaken timbers. It
was evident that the two ships were very close together by the loud
sound of the enemy's guns and the effects of his shot. Not many minutes
had passed since the firing commenced, when steps were heard descending
the ladder, and first one wounded man, and then another, and another,
was brought below and placed before the surgeon. He had scarcely begun
to examine their wounds, when more poor fellows were brought below badly
wounded.

"Ah! sir," said one of the seamen who bore them, as he was hurrying
again on deck, in answer to a question from the surgeon, "there are many
more than these down for whom you could do nothing."

"What, is the day going against us?" asked the surgeon.

"No, sir; I hope not. But the enemy is a big one, and will require a
mighty deal of hammering before she gives in."

Paul looked out; but he soon closed his eyes, and he would gladly have
closed his ears to the shrieks and groans of anguish which assailed
them, while the poor fellows were under the hands of the surgeons, or
waiting their turn to have their wounds dressed, or their limbs
amputated. Paul was more particularly anxious about his old friends;
and whenever anybody was brought near him, he inquired after them. The
report was, from those who had seen them, that they were at their posts
as yet unhurt. Again he waited. Now there was a cessation of firing.
Once more it was renewed, and the wounded were brought down in even
still greater numbers than at first. Paul's spirits fell very low. He
had never felt so miserable, and so full of dread. What, if after all
the _Proserpine_ should be overmatched, and he and his companions again
fall into the hands of the French, or should perhaps Devereux, or
O'Grady, or his firm friend Reuben Cole, be killed! Suddenly he
remembered what his mother often had told him, that in all troubles and
difficulties he should pray; and so he hid his face in the pillow, and
prayed that his countrymen might come off victorious, and that the lives
of his friends might be preserved. By the time he had ceased his fears
had vanished; his spirits rose. He had done all he could do, and the
result he knew was in the hands of Him who rules the world. Still the
battle raged. H