"Well, sir, I don't know what to say. Our mizzen-mast is gone; our mainmast is gone; and I think, on the whole, you had better report that we have struck our flag."
Read saluted the captain, and stepped to the side of the ship, but turned back.
"Would you like the assistance of a surgeon, or surgeon's mate, in caring for your wounded?" he asked the captain.
"Well, sir, I should suppose you had on your own ship business enough for all your medical officers."
"Oh, no," responded the American. "We have only seven wounded, and their wounds have been dressed some time ago."
Captain Dacres dare not attempt to answer, for had he done so his voice would have been choked with sobs.
"Only seven wounded," he murmured, and remembered that on the deck he had twenty-three dead or mortally wounded, while his surgeons were busy attending to fifty-six who were desperately injured.
Captain Orne returned with Lieutenant Read to the Constitution.
He reported to Captain Hull, and was asked to describe the state of the Guerriere.