f the battle, and heard the dreadful guns
firing--and some of those on board may have been killed," said Ellen,
scarcely able to restrain her feelings.

The young ladies had some time to wait after the rooms had been got
ready. Ellen was constantly going to the window, from which she could
see the river and watch for the return of the boat. Norah, like a
faithful friend, did not quit her.

"There comes the boat," exclaimed Ellen, at length. "Oh, see, Norah!
there is a person wrapped up in blankets lying in the stern-sheets; my
heart told me that he would be wounded."

"It is better so than had your heart told you he would be killed, and it
had proved a true prophet," said Norah, smiling and trying to cheer up
her friend. Ellen would have hurried down to the quay, but Norah
persuaded her to remain at home. "He may not be Lieutenant Foley,
remember," observed Norah, quietly; "and if he is, you are more likely
to agitate him than to do him any good by rushing down to the quay.
Think how odd it would look were you to exhibit your feelings in public,
or, still more so, should the wounded man prove to be a stranger."

Norah's sensible remarks prevailed in inducing Ellen to remain quiet
till the arrival of the party in the boat. Mr Ferris was the first
person who appeared.

"You must not be alarmed, my dear child," he said. "There has been a
fierce engagement, in which two officers and several men were killed--"

"Oh, father, who were they?" cried Ellen.

"A master's mate and a midshipman," answered Mr Ferris; "but I am sorry
to say that Mr Foley was among the most severely wounded, and he gladly
accepted my offer to take him on shore; so I brought him up here, and
you and Norah will, I am sure, do your best to look after him."

While Mr Ferris was speaking, the men bearing the wounded lieutenant
arrived. Ellen, restraining her feelings, received him with becoming
propriety, though his pale lips and wan cheek made her heart sink. He
was forthwith conveyed to the room which, had been prepared for him.
Dr Roach, who had been an army surgeon, and knew well how to treat
gunshot wounds of every description, was immediately sent for, and the
young officer was placed under his charge.

"We'll pull him through, young lady," he observed, after he had visited
his patient. "You will naturally wish to know what I think of the case
of this fine young officer, who has been bleeding for his country. You
need be under no