Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 1.djvu/97

 When the hands were turned up to muster, the number of killed amounted to nine, and the wounded to thirteen. When this was made known, there seemed to be a general smile of congratulation at the number fallen, rather than of regret for their loss. The vanity of the officers seemed tickled at the disproportionate slaughter in a frigate of our size, as compared to what they had heard the ships of the line had suffered.

I attended the surgeon in the steerage, to which place the wounded were removed, and saw all the amputations performed, without flinching; while men who had behaved well in the action fainted at the sight. I am afraid I almost took a pleasure in observing the operations of the surgeon, without once reflecting on the pain suffered by the patient. Habit had now begun to corrupt my mind. I was not cruel by nature; I loved the deep investigation of hidden things; and this day's action