Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/64

 discomposure. We had not been many minutes engaged, when one of the sailors whom I immediately knew to be my honest friend Jack Rattling, coming towards me, told me with great deliberation, he came to be docked at last, and discovered the remains of one hand. which had been shattered to pieces by grape shot. While I was employed in dressing the stump I asked Jack's opinion of the battle, who shaking his head, frankly told me, he believed we would do no good. By this time our patients had begun to increase; a shot happened to take us between wind and water, and its course being through the purser's-store-room, made a terrible havock. My old enemy Crampley came down to bring me up to the quarter deck to dress a slight wound the Captain had received by a splinter. His reasoning honouring me with this service being, that if I should be killed my death would be of less consequence to the ship's company than the doctor's or his mate. At another time; perhaps, I might have disputed this order but as I thought my reputation depended upon my compliance I was no more afraid than he. With this view I provided myself with dressings, and followed him immediately to the quarter-deck, through a most infernal scene of slaughter, fire, smoke. and uproar! Captain Oakhum no sooner saw me approach then he signified his displeasure by a frown; and asked, why the doctor himself did not come? I told him,