218 CLEVER SURGEON. 



operation himself, to which he answered 

 confidently in the affirmative ; his own 

 surgeon at the same time disclaiming all 

 responsibility. 



With very little more persuasion the 

 Captain, assured of the self-possession of 

 the man, and the strong nerve denoted in 

 his countenance and manner, at once pre- 

 pared himself for the knife, which the ope- 

 rator, as it proved, knew well how to use ; 

 for the shattered limb was quickly removed. 

 The patient was preserved from a painful 

 death, and in due time restored to the 

 service, of which he proved himself so 

 distinguished a member. 



My brother continued to tell me that 

 this was the second time only the operation 

 had been attempted, and performed with 

 success; therefore did the operator get the 

 greater praise, and the fame of it soon re- 

 echoed from the patient's cabin through 

 every man-of-war on the station, and thence 

 through every hospital in London. 



