Jack returned to Frank's side.
"Ship, eh?" asked Frank feebly.
"Yes," replied Jack.
"British?"
"Haven't been able to make her out yet. Probably is, though. I hope so, for I want to get you to bed where you can be looked after."
"Don't mind me. Say, how many men did we lose?"
"Ten," said Jack slowly.
"Ten," repeated Frank. "It was a costly battle, wasn't it? But what has happened to——"
"Don't you think you had better not talk any more now?" said Jack, raising a silencing hand. "You're pretty weak. Don't exert yourself."
"But wasn't that Lord Hastings' voice I heard just now?"