I sighed at the idea of my father being dead, for I had a great regard for him, although I had not seen much of him. The porter was brought, and after we had both drunk I recommenced reading. Having concluded Admiral Nelson’s despatch and the list of the ships taken, we then came to the loss in killed and wounded on board of the respective English ships.
“Vanguard—thirty killed, seventy-five wounded; total, a hundred and five.”
“Yes, Jack, that was Nelson’s own ship; and he is always to be found where the shot fly thickest.”
“Bellerophon—forty-nine killed, a hundred and forty-eight wounded; total, a hundred and ninety-seven.”
“Well, she was in the thick of it, anyhow!” observed Ben.
“Majestic—fifty killed, a hundred and forty-three wounded; total, a hundred and ninety-three.”
“Why, she and the Bellyruffron seem to have pretty well shared and shared alike. You see, Jack, they led into the action, and had all the cream of the fire.”
I went on reading and Ben remarking, until I came to the Audacious.
“Audacious—one killed, and thirty-five wounded; total, thirty-six.”
“Well now, Jack, that’s all in favour of your father being alive; cause why should he be the one killed, more than any one else?”