"We shall be very glad to have an account of your adventures, Lieutenant Ralph," he said, courteously, "and how you came to be chased by that brute of a cruiser."
In as few words as possible I told them all that had occurred since the declaration of war, finally inquiring for Bates, to whom I owed my life, and had the happiness of hearing that he was safe and sound aboard.
"You have done a very plucky thing, sir," said the Captain, at the close of my recital. "You fought a splendid fight, and I am sure your country will not forget your brave and valuable services. I am sorry to say that only four of your ship's company have been recovered, and a few Frenchmen."
We were by this time nearly at Gibraltar; and the Captain, having received the despatches from me and assured me they should go at once to the Governor, left me to fall into a deep, refreshing sleep, from which I awoke calm and content. The despatches were delivered in time, though not by my hand. But their safe delivery was the chief matter.
That night, in spite of the doctor's protestations, I was taken from the ship and sent ashore, where I was received at the comfortable little Gibraltar hospital.
My thigh was indeed badly fractured, but a sound constitution, aided by the unremitting care bestowed upon me in Gibraltar, soon brought me round again, but a slight limp is always with me.
****
When my dear wife, who looks over my shoulder as I write these words, says that my infirmity is no less glorious than the Victoria Cross which rests so proudly on my breast, I feel amply repaid for anything I may have done or risked in the service of my country; and the day when I shall attain flag-rank looms larger upon the satisfactory horizon of my life.