"'Audacious'"--one killed, and thirty-five wounded; total, thirty-six."
"Well now, Jack, that's all in favor of your father being alive; 'cause
why should he be the one killed, more than any one else? I'd bet two
pots of beer that he's among the wounded--but it's impossible to say;
for you see, Jack, although they give us the names of the officers
killed and wounded, they always _lump_ the petty officers and common
seamen. Well, here's to your father's health, Jack, anyhow; we shall
soon hear something about him."
"I hope so," replied I, folding up the paper.
"And now, Jack," continued Ben, handing me the pot, "don't you feel how
proud a thing it is to know how to read? Here I am, you see, old enough
almost to be your grandfather, and don't I look like a helpless babby
beside you? you can inform me of what is going on, but I cannot help
myself. Don't I feel it, as I sit here, as if you were the man and I
were the boy? indeed I do, Jack, and no mistake; but, arter all, there
was no one to blame in my case; that's some comfort."
I certainly did acknowledge to myself how much I had gained by the
tuition of Peter Anderson, and what advantage it was to me that I had
been instructed; and I could not help for a moment feeling that I had
the advantage over my good friend Ben.
According to the usual custom on the occasion of a great victory, the
pensioners had, on the following day, what was called a holiday, that
is, a day of rejoicing, on which they were supplied with an extra
quantity of beer, to make merry with. On these occasions the rules of
the hospital, with respect to sobriety, are, of course, not strictly
observed. Most of those who prefer smoking collect in what is called the
smoking-room, where they sit and enjoy themselves; but very often, as
there is so much noise on these occasions, those who belong to the same
ward collect together, club for some spirits to add to their extra
allowance, and sit by the fire, which is in the corridor of the ward.
The fireplace is generally a very large one, and surrounded by benches
with high backs, to serve as screens against the cold and wind; and, as
there are tables inside, you are very snug and comfortable. On this
occasion many of the Warriors' Ward, of which Anderson was boatswain,
and Ben one of the boatswain's mates, had repaired to their own fire,
for it was now October, and very chilly after the sun went down.
Ben, I suppose, in return for the pot of porter which I had given him,
invited me to be of the party; they drank the health of Nelson, and
talked about the different ships which were in the action. Some drank
very fast, and then reeled off to their beds, which were close at hand;
others were taken to bed by Peter Anderson and Ben; and at last there
were but four or five left. One of these was the other boatswain's mate
of the ward. I knew very little of him at that time, except that his
name was James Turner. He was a very quiet well-behaved man, and seemed
to be more fond of sitting or walking alone than of being in company;
never was known to drink too much; and, indeed, as boatswain's mate, was
more relied upon by Anderson than even Ben was--although, perhaps, Ben
was his more constant companion. The conversation relative to the
particulars of the battle of the Nile was resumed, and Anderson
observed--
"What an awful sight it must have been to behold the blowing up of
the 'L'Orient' French three-decker, with upward of a thousand men
on board! Merciful Heaven! so many poor fellows launched into
eternity in one moment! They say there were but seventy-three
saved."
"There were nearly as many souls lost when the 'Royal George' went
down at Spithead, with all the fleet at anchor round about her,"
replied Ben; "were there not, Turner, for you were on board of
her?"
"Yes, I should think there were," replied Turner; "but it is
impossible to say how many people were on board at the time."
"Messmate," said Anderson, "as all the noisy ones are gone, and we
shall be able to hear you, suppose that you let us know all about
it? I have heard a good deal, but, I suspect, not the rights of
it."
"With all my heart," replied Turner. "It was a sad affair, and was
all owing to the pride of an officer, who was not much of a sailor,
at all events."
I drew nearer, that I might not lose a word of what Turner said; and
then he narrated, in the following words,