"About five hours ago, immediately after the fight," was the answer.  "I have been attending to our own wounded during the interval, and have only just finished with them.  I am afraid I shall lose a good many of them.  Your men fought like fiends, and struck some very shrewd blows; indeed there was a moment when I began to think that Captain Ricardo had made a serious mistake in determining to run down and lay you aboard. For a minute or two it looked very much as though our people were about to give way before you, and indeed I believe they would have done so but for the fact that your men grew discouraged and gave way when you fell. But this will not do at all; here am I talking to you when it is of the utmost importance that you should be kept perfectly quiet.  Now, not another word, if you please, but allow me to dress your wounds afresh."