THE DOCTOR
Very irksome is the task which I have imposed upon myself.
Here again is one of the phases of my life which I wish to be able to
utterly efface from my memory,--one of those moments of terrible
vertigo, during which--
But the hour of this fatal revelation will arrive, alas, too soon!
Stunned by the blow which I had received, I swooned at the moment when
the captain of the pirates fell into the sea.
When I revived I was in bed in my chamber, my head and shoulder
enveloped in bandages.
Falmouth's physician, of whom I have forgotten to speak, a grave and
very learned man, was near me.
My first thought was for Henry.
"How is Lord Falmouth?" I asked the doctor.
"My lord is doing very well, sir; fortunately his wound is not
dangerous."
"Has he not a broken hip?"
"A very great contusion, more painful, perhaps, than a fracture, but
less serious."
"And the pirates?"
"They have escaped, and again set sail, after having lost five of their
crew in this attack, but, doubtless, they have a great number of
wounded."
"And have we lost many?"
"Three sailors and a boatswain have been killed, besides which, nine of
our sailors are wounded more or less seriously."
"It seems to me to be day; what time is it, doctor?"
"Eleven o'clock, sir."
"Indeed, I believe I am dreaming,--all this has passed, then?"
"This night."
"And where are my wounds?"
"A wound on the head, and a blow from a poignard on the left shoulder.
Ah, sir, an inch lower, and this last would have been mortal. But how do
you feel this morning?"
"Oh, I feel a little smarting in my left shoulder; that is all; but
Falmouth, Falmouth?"
"My lord will not be able to walk for several days. In spite of his
wound, he has desired to help me in caring for you and in watching this
night, but since one o'clock his strength has left him, and I have
ordered him to his room. He is sleeping now. As soon as he awakens he
will wish to be near you again, for he is in great haste to express his
thanks to you, sir."
"Do not speak of that, doctor."
"Why not speak of that, sir?" exclaimed the doctor. "Have you not, in
the midst of this mad combat, forgotten your own safety, to drag my lord
from great peril? Have you not been wounded in accomplishing this act of
friendship? Ah, sir, will my lord ever forget that it is to you that he
owes his life? And we, ourselves, shall we ever forget that it is to you
that we owe his preservation?"
"The attack, then, was very vigorous, doctor?"
"On all sides, it was terrible; but our sailors, however inferior in
number, have intrepidly repulsed it. In a word, their bravery rivalled
yours, sir; for your coolness, your struggle hand to hand with the
captain of those pirates, have been the admiration of all of our crew."
"And you assure me that Falmouth's wound is not dangerous?"
"No, sir; but if you will permit me, I will go and see if he needs me."
"Go, go, doctor, and return and tell me when I may see him."
I remained alone.