was, plunged onward across the
foam-covered ocean. On one side was the burning ship, at which not a
shot had been fired since her condition was discovered; on the other
was a still active enemy. With the latter, broadside after broadside was
rapidly exchanged, but without much damage being sustained. From
the burning ship a few shots continued for a short time to be fired, but
as the fire increased, the crew must have deserted their guns, and as the
flames gained the mastery, they burned through the ropes and attacked
the sails, and the ship fell off and rolled helplessly in the trough of the
sea, where the two combatants soon left her far astern.
"I wish as how we could heave-to and send a boat to help them poor
fellows," cried Reuben Cole, looking at the burning ship.
"To my mind, the mounseer out there would be doing better if he was
to cry, Peccavi, and then go and look after his countrymen, instead of
getting himself knocked to pieces, as he will be if he keeps on long at
this game."
The sentiment was highly applauded by his hearers. There was not a
man indeed on board the frigate who was not eager to save the lives of
the hapless crew of the burning ship, which they had till now striven so
hard to destroy.
The firing had ceased; the grey dawn broke over the waste of waters;
astern was seen the smoke from the burning ship, with bright flashes
below it, and away to leeward their other antagonist making all sail to
escape. The battle was over, though the victor could boast but of a
barren conquest. The guns were run in and secured, and the weary crew
instantly set to work to repair damages. As the wind had fallen and the
sea had considerably gone down, the work was performed without
much difficulty. Captain Walford had narrowly watched his flying foe,
in the hopes that she might go to the assistance of her late consort. Her
royals had not long sunk below the horizon when once more the
Cerberus was in a condition to make sail.
Captain Walford considered whether he should go in pursuit of the
enemy, or attempt to save the lives of the unfortunate people from the
burning ship. In the first case he might possibly capture an enemy's
ship, but ought he for the chance of so doing to leave his
fellow-creatures to perish miserably?
"No, I will risk all consequences," he said to his first-lieutenant after a
turn on deck. And the Cerberus stood towards the wreck.
The wind had fallen so much that her progress was very slow. The
English now wished for more wind, for every moment might be of vital
consequence to their late enemies. Not a man on board felt the least
enmity towards them; even the wounded and dying when told of their
condition looked on them as brothers in misfortune.
War is sad work, sad for those at home, sad for those engaged in it, and
the only way to mitigate its horrors is to treat the fallen or the defeated
foe as we should ourselves wish to be treated.
While the frigate sailed on, the crew were repairing as far as possible
the damages she had received; for at that season of the year it was
probable that another gale might spring up, which she was as yet
ill-prepared to encounter. The men were nearly dropping with fatigue,
but they worked on bravely, as true-hearted seamen always do work
when necessity demands their exertions.
Meantime Paul was summoned below. The midshipmen who were not
required on deck were again assembled in the berth; but the places of
several were vacant. They were eating a hurried meal which Paul had
placed on the table, and discussing the events of the fight. One or two
of the youngsters were rather graver than usual, but Paul thought that
the rest took matters with wonderful indifference. He was anxious to
know what had happened to Devereux, whom he had seen carried
below badly wounded. Nobody mentioned him; perhaps he was dead;
and he did not feel sorry at the thought. After a time, though, he had
some compunctions of conscience. He was thinking that he would find
his way towards the sick bay, where the wounded midshipmen and
other junior officers were placed, when one of the assistant-surgeons
came towards the berth.
"Here, boy Gerrard, I can trust you, I think," he exclaimed. "I want you
to stay by Mr Devereux, and to keep continually moistening his lips,
fomenting his wound as I shall direct. He is very feverish, and his life
may depend on your attention."
Paul felt as he had never felt before, proud and happy at
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