"'Bellerophon'--forty-nine killed, a hundred and forty-eight wounded;
total, a hundred and ninety-seven."

"Well, she was in the thick of it, anyhow!" observed Ben.

"'Majestic'--fifty killed, a hundred and forty-three wounded; total, a
hundred and ninety-three."

"Why, she and the 'Bellyruffron' seem to have pretty well shared and
shared alike. You see, Jack, they led into the action, and had all the
cream of the fire."

I went on reading and Ben remarking, until I came to the "Audacious."

"'Audacious'"--one killed, and thirty-five wounded; total, thirty-six."

"Well now, Jack, that's all in favor of your father being alive; 'cause
why should he be the one killed, more than any one else? I'd bet two
pots of beer that he's among the wounded--but it's impossible to say;
for you see, Jack, although they give us the names of the officers
killed and wounded, they always _lump_ the petty officers and common
seamen. Well, here's to your father's health, Jack, anyhow; we shall
soon hear something about him."

"I hope so," replied I, folding up the paper.

"And now, Jack," continued Ben, handing me the pot, "don't you feel how
proud a thing it is to know how to read? Here I am, you see, old enough
almost to be your grandfather, and don't I look like a helpless babby
beside you? you can inform me of what is going on, but I cannot help