A United States officer, with a portion of the crew of the Porter, boarded the captured vessel and took formal possession.
Then the wounded and dead were attended to. Two of the smugglers had been killed and five or six injured. The injuries seemed to be slight, with the exception of those of one man, who was found lying on his face insensible.
It was Snags.
The discovery was made by Leonard and Mr. Stark, who had been transferred from the Porter to the captured vessel. They immediately caused him to be carried into a state-room, where they followed, accompanied by a surgeon. All others then withdrew, leaving the four men together.
“How badly is he injured?” asked Mr. Stark of the surgeon, who was examining Snags’ wounds.
“Very badly,” replied the surgeon. “He will not live more than a few hours.”
“Will he recover consciousness before he dies? It is important that we hold some conversation with him if such a thing is possible.”
“I think he will be conscious for a short time. Yes, he is struggling now. His chest heaves—his eyes open.”
And the surgeon administered a stimulant to Snags.
The latter looked around with a wild, vacant stare.