"'Going to quarters, doctor. Didn't you hear that drum?'
"'Get below, sir, instantly,' was the doctor's answer. 'Get below! and don't let me catch you on deck again until I give you permission. Get below, I tell you, sir!' he continued, in a louder tone, seeing that I hesitated. 'Haven't you got sense enough to know that you are dangerously wounded? I am surgeon of this ship, and have authority to enforce my commands.'
"Of this I was well aware, and I was obliged to retrace my steps to the engine-room, where I lay down upon the bed.
"The morning's fight having convinced the admiral that, although the batteries had been partially silenced, they could not be completely reduced, without the co-operation of the land forces, he returned to his old anchorage, for the purpose of convoying the transports which were to run by the batteries and ferry the troops across the river below. The latter followed close in the wake of the gun-boats, on which the batteries opened quite as briskly as in the morning. The iron-clads replied, and under cover of their fire the transports passed the batteries in safety, after which the gun-boats also ran by, and assisted in carrying the troops across the river. In this fight the Concord was struck but twice, and no one was injured. As soon as she had been brought to an anchor, the doctor entered the engine-room, and, after regarding me for a moment with an expression that I could not understand, said:
"'You're a nice one, ain't you?'
"'Why, doctor, what's the matter?' I asked.
"'You don't wish to get well, I guess.'
"'O, yes, I do! But I am not badly hurt; there was nothing to hinder me from taking my station.'
"'You will allow me to be the judge of that, if you please,' returned the doctor. 'But I have got a room fixed up for you on deck. Do you feel able to walk up there?'