145 which were sailing abreast of the Victory, be ordered to pass ahead. Yet even here the last infirmity of this noble mind was indulged, for these ships could not pass ahead if 150 the Victory continued to carry all her sail; and so far was Nelson from shortening sail, that it was evident he took pleasure in pressing on, and rendering it impossible for them to 155 obey his own orders. A long swell was setting into the Bay of Cadiz: our ships, crowding all sail, moved majestically before it, with light winds from the south-west. The sun shone 160 on the sails of the enemy; and their well-formed line, with their numerous three-deckers, made an appearance which any other assailants would have thought formidable; but the 165 British sailors only admired the beauty and the splendour of the spectacle, and, in full confidence of winning what they saw, remarked to each other what a fine sight yonder ships 170 would make at Spithead.

The French Admiral, from the Bucentaure, beheld the new manner in which his enemy was advancing, Nelson and Collingwood each lead175 ing his line; and, pointing them out to his officers, he is said to have exclaimed that such conduct could not fail to be successful. Yet Villeneuve had made his own dispositions 180 with the utmost skill, and the fleets under his command waited for the attack with perfect coolness. Ten minutes before twelve they opened their fire. Eight or nine of the 185 ships immediately ahead of the Victory, and across her bows, fired single guns at her to ascertain whether she was yet within their range. As soon as Nelson perceived that their shot 190 passed over him, he desired Blackwood, and Captain Prowse of the Sirius, to repair to their respective frigates, and, on their way, to tell

all the captains of the line-of-battle ships that he depended on their exer- 195 tions, and that, if by the prescribed mode of attack they found it impracticable to get into action immediately, they might adopt whatever they thought best, provided it 200 led them quickly and closely alongside an enemy. As they were standing on the front of the poop, Blackwood took him by the hand, saying he hoped soon to return and find 205 him in possession of twenty prizes. He replied, 'God bless you, Blackwood; I shall never see you again!'

Nelson's column was steered about two points more to the north than 210 Collingwood's, in order to cut off the enemy's escape into Cadiz: the lee line, therefore, was first engaged. 'See,' cried Nelson, pointing to the Royal Sovereign, as she steered right 215 for the centre of the enemy's line, cut through it astern of the Santa Anna, three-decker, and engaged her at the muzzle of her guns on the starboard side - 'see how that noble 220 fellow, Collingwood, carries his ship into action!'

Collingwood, delighted at being first in the heat of the fire, and knowing the feelings of his com- 225 mander and old friend, turned to his captain, and exclaimed, 'Rotherham, what would Nelson give to be here!' Both these brave officers, perhaps, at this moment thought of Nelson 230 with gratitude, for a circumstance which had occurred on the preceding day. Admiral Collingwood, with some of the captains, having gone on board the Victory to receive instructions, 235 Nelson inquired of him where his captain was, and was told in reply that they were not upon good terms with each other. "Terms!" said Nelson, 'good terms with each other!' 240 Immediately he sent a boat for Captain Rotherham; led him, as soon as

he arrived, to Collingwood; and saying, 'Look, yonder are the enemy!' 245 bade them shake hands like English

men.

The enemy continued to fire a gun at a time at the Victory, till they saw that a shot had passed 250 through her main-top-gallant-sail; then they opened their broadsides, aiming chiefly at her rigging, in the hope of disabling her before she could close with them. Nelson, as 255 usual, had hoisted several flags, lest one should be shot away. The enemy showed no colours till late in the action, when they began to feel the necessity of having them to strike. 260 For this reason, the Santissima Trinidad, Nelson's old acquaintance, as he used to call her, was distinguishable only by her four decks; and to the bow of this opponent he ordered 265 the Victory to be steered. Mean

time an incessant raking fire was kept up upon the Victory. The Admiral's secretary was one of the first who fell; he was killed by a can270 non-shot, while conversing with Hardy.

Capt. Adair of the marines, with the help of a sailor, endeavoured to remove the body from Nelson's sight, who had a great regard for Mr. Scott; 275 but he anxiously asked, 'Is that poor Scott that's gone?' and being informed that it was indeed so, exclaimed, 'Poor fellow!' Presently a double-headed shot struck a party 280 of marines who were drawn up on the poop, and killed eight of them; upon which Nelson immediately desired Capt. Adair to disperse his men round the ship, that they might 285 not suffer so much from being together. A few minutes afterwards a shot struck the fore-brace bits on the quarter-deck, and passed between Nelson and Hardy, a splinter from 290 the bit tearing off Hardy's buckle and bruising his foot. Both stopped,

and looked anxiously at each other, each supposing the other to be wounded. Nelson then smiled, and said, "This is too warm work, Hardy, 295 to last long.'

The Victory had not yet returned a single gun. Fifty of her men had been by this time killed or wounded, and her main-topmast, with all her s00 studding-sails and their booms shot away. Nelson declared that in all his battles he had seen nothing which surpassed the cool courage o his crew on this occasion. At four mi- 305 nutes after twelve she opened her fire from both sides of her deck It was not possible to break the enemy's line without running on board one of their ships: Hardy informed him 310 of this, and asked him which he would prefer. Nelson replied, "Take your choice, Hardy, it does not signify much.' The master was then ordered to put the helm to port, and the 315 Victory ran on board the Redoutable, just as her tiller-ropes were shot away. The French ship received her with a broadside, then instantly let down her lower deck ports, for fear 320 of being boarded through them, and never afterwards fired a great gun during the action. Her tops, like those of all the enemy's ships, were filled with riflemen.

Nelson never 325

placed musketry in his tops; he had a strong dislike to the practice, not merely because it endangers setting fire to the sails, but also because it is a murderous sort of warfare, by s30 which individuals may suffer, and a commander now and then be picked off, but which never can decide the fate of a general engagement.

Captain Harvey in the Téméraire 335 fell on board the Redoutable on the other side. Another enemy was in like manner on board the Téméraire; so that these four ships formed as compact a tier as if they had been 840

moored together, their heads lying all the same way. The lieutenants of the Victory, seeing this, depressed their guns of the middle and lower 845 decks, and fired with a diminished charge, lest the shot should pass through, and injure the Téméraire. And because there was danger that the Redoutable might take fire from 350 the lower deck guns, the muzzles of which touched her side when they were run out, the fireman of each gun stood ready with a bucket of water, which, as soon as the gun 355 was discharged, he dashed into the hole made by the shot. An incessant fire was kept up from the Victory from both sides, her larboard guns playing upon the Bucentaure 860 and the huge Santissima Trinidad.

It had been part of Nelson's prayer that the British fleet might be distinguished by humanity in the victory which he expected. Setting an ex365 ample himself, he twice gave orders to cease firing upon the Redoutable, supposing that she had struck, because her great guns were silent; for, as she carried no flag, there was no 370 means of instantly ascertaining the fact. From this ship, which he had thus twice spared, he received his death. A ball fired from her mizzentop, which, in the then situation of 876 the two vessels, was not more than fifteen yards from that part of the deck where he was standing, struck the epaulette of his left shoulder, about a quarter after one, just in 380 the heat of the action. He fell upon

his face, on the spot which was covered with his poor secretary's blood. Hardy, who was a few steps from him, turning round, saw three men 385 raising him up. They have done for me at last, Hardy,' said he. 'I hope not,' cried Hardy. 'Yes!' he replied, 'my backbone is shot through.' Yet even now, not for a moment

losing his presence of mind, he ob- 390 served, as they were carrying him down the ladder, that the tiller-ropes, which had been shot away, were not yet replaced, and ordered that new ones should be rove immediately. 895 Then, that he might not be seen by the crew, he took out his handkerchief, and covered his face and his stars. Had he but concealed these badges of honour from the enemy, 400 England perhaps would not have had cause to receive with sorrow the news of the battle of Trafalgar.

The cockpit was crowded with wounded and dying men, over whose 405 bodies he was with some difficulty conveyed, and laid upon a pallet in the midshipmen's berth. It was soon perceived, upon examination, that the wound was mortal. This, however, 410 was concealed from all except Captain Hardy, the chaplain, and the medical attendants. He himself, being certain from the sensation in his back, and the gush of blood he felt mo- 415 mently within his breast, that no human care could avail him, insisted that the surgeon should leave him, and attend to those to whom he might be useful; for,' said he, 'you 420 can do nothing for me.' All that could be done was to fan him with paper, and frequently to give him lemonade, to alleviate his intense thirst. He was in great pain, and 425 expressed much anxiety for the event of the action, which now began to declare itself. As often as a ship struck, the crew of the Victory hurraed; and at every hurra a visible 430 expression of joy gleamed in the eyes, and marked the countenance, of the dying hero. But he became impatient to see Captain Hardy; and as that officer, though often sent 435 for, could not leave the deck, Nelson feared that some fatal cause prevented him, and repeatedly cried,

'Will no one bring Hardy to me? 440 He must be killed! He is surely dead!' An hour and ten minutes elapsed, from the time when Nelson received his wound, before Hardy could come to him. to him. They shook 445 hands in silence, Hardy in vain struggling to repress the feelings of that most painful and yet sublimest moment. 'Well, Hardy,' said Nelson, 'how goes the day with us?'- 'Very 450 well,' replied Hardy; 'ten ships have struck, but five of the van have tacked, and show an intention to bear down upon the Victory. I have called two or three of our fresh ships 455 round, and have no doubt of giving them a drubbing.' 'I hope,' said Nelson, 'none of our ships have struck?' Hardy answered, "There was no fear of that.' Then, and not 460 till then, Nelson spoke of himself. 'I am a dead man, Hardy,' said he; 'I am going fast. It will be all over with me soon. Come nearer to me. Let my dear Lady Hamilton 465 have my hair, and all other things belonging to me.' Hardy observed that he hoped Mr. Beatty could yet hold out some prospect of life. 'Oh, no!' he replied, 'it is impossible; my 470 back is shot through; Beatty will tell you so.' Captain Hardy then, once more, shook hands with him, and, with a heart almost bursting, hastened upon deck.

475

By this time all feeling below the breast was gone; and Nelson, having made the surgeon ascertain this, said to him, 'You know I am gone. I know it. I feel something rising in 480 my breast,' putting his hand on

his left side, 'which tells me so.' And upon Beatty's inquiring whether his pain was very great, he replied, 'So great that he wished he was 485 dead. Yet,' said he, in a lower

voice, 'one would like to live a little longer too!' And after a few minutes,

in the same undertone, he added, 'What would become of poor Lady Hamilton, if she knew Hamilton, if she knew my situation!' 490 Next to his country she occupied his thoughts. Captain Hardy, some fifty minutes after he had left the cockpit, returned; and, again taking the hand of his dying friend and com- 495 mander, congratulated him on having gained a complete victory. How many of the enemy were taken he did not know, as it was impossible to perceive them distinctly but fourteen 500 or fifteen at least. "That's well!' cried Nelson, 'but I bargained for twenty.' And then, in a stronger voice, he said, 'Anchor, Hardy, anchor!' Hardy upon this hinted that 505 Admiral Collingwood would take upon himself the direction of affairs. 'Not while I live, Hardy!' said the dying Nelson, ineffectually endeavouring to raise himself from the bed; 'do you 510 anchor.' His previous order for preparing to anchor had shown how clearly he foresaw the necessity of this. Presently, calling Hardy back, he said to him in a low voice, 'Don't 515 throw me overboard'; and he desired that he might be buried by his parents, unless it should please the King to order otherwise. Then reverting to private feelings, "Take care 520 of my dear Lady Hamilton, Hardy; take care of poor Lady Hamilton. Kiss me, Hardy,' said he. Hardy knelt down and kissed his cheek; and Nelson said, 'Now I am satisfied. 525 Thank God, I have done my duty.' Hardy stood over him in silence for a moment or two; then knelt again and kissed his forehead. 'Who is that?' said Nelson; and being informed, he 530 replied, 'God bless you, Hardy.' And Hardy then left him for ever.

Nelson now desired to be turned upon his right side, and said, 'I wish I had not left the deck; for I shall 535 soon be gone.' Death was indeed

rapidly approaching. He said to the chaplain, 'Doctor, I have not been a great sinner'; and after a short pause, 540 'Remember that I leave Lady Hamilton and my daughter Horatia as a legacy to my country.' His articulation now became difficult; but he was

8

distinctly heard to say, "Thank God, I have done my duty.' These words he 545 had repeatedly pronounced; and they were the last words which he uttered. He expired at thirty minutes after four three hours and a quarter after he had received his wound.

It was a summer evening,

Old Kaspar's work was done, And he before his cottage-door

Was sitting in the sun: And by him sported on the green His little grandchild Wilhelmine.

She saw her brother Peterkin

Roll something large and round, Which he beside the rivulet,

In playing there, had found; He came to ask what he had found, 12 That was so large and smooth and round.

'It was the English,' Kaspar cried, 'Who put the French to rout; But what they killed each other for I could not well make out; But every body said,' quoth he, "That 'twas a famous victory.

'My father lived at Blenheim then, Yon little stream hard by; They burnt his dwelling to the ground,

And he was forced to fly;

So with his wife and child he fled,
Nor had he where to rest his head.
'With fire and sword the country round
Was wasted far and wide;
And many a tender mother then,
And new-born baby, died;
But things like that, you know, must be
At every famous victory.

"They say it was a shocking sight
After the field was won;

For many thousand bodies here
Lay rotting in the sun;
But things like that, you know, must be
After a famous victory.

'Great praise the Duke of Marlbro' won,

And our good Prince Eugene.' 'Why, 'twas a very wicked thing!'

Said little Wilhelmine. 'Nay-nay - my little girl,' quoth he, 'It was a famous victory.

550

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