"Where is the commodore?" said Lanyard to the captain's steward, who accompanied us with a light, but which had been blown out by the opening of the cabin door.
"I left him in the cabin, sir--I suppose he is there still, sir."
By this time the ruddy east was brightening; the light that shone through the stern windows came in aid of the dim lamp, and we saw a figure, Sir Oliver as we conceived, stretched on one of the sofas that stood between the aftermost gun and the quarter-gallery door, on the larboard side. The man brought two candles and placed them on the table. Both Sprawl and myself had been rather surprised that the commodore did not instantly address us as we entered, but we now noticed that the gallant old fellow was very pale and wan, and that he spoke with difficulty, as if he had been labouring under asthma.
"Welcome, gentlemen--glad to see you back again. I am prepared to hear that you have failed in your object--quite prepared; but I have been down ever since you shoved off, and am far from well yet."
He rose and shook hands with us with all his usual cordiality of manner.
"Sit down, gentlemen,--there--sit down. Howard, get coffee."
"Well, Master Brail--you have had enough of piloting and cutting out," said he, endeavouring to appear cheery and unconcerned--"curiosity quite satisfied I daresay." I was about replying when he continued, addressing the lieutenants.
"You have had some fighting, I suppose--indeed, we heard the firing distinctly enough."
"Yes, commodore," said Sprawl, "enough and to spare of that; but, as you have guessed, we were unable to bring out the polacre--she now lies sunk in the river."
"Well, well," rejoined Sir Oliver, "I will hear the particulars by and by; but I hope you have not lost any, at least not _many_ of the people--none killed I hope?--this horrible climate will leave few of us for gunpowder soon--none killed I hope?--a few wounded, of course, I bargain for"----
Sprawl was silent for a minute, and then handed him the return.--"Indeed, Sir Oliver," said he, "I am grieved to tell you that it has been a bad business; we have lost several excellent men, and our doctor's list is also heavy; however, all the wounded are likely to do well."