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the Santa Anna three-decker, and engaged her at the muzzle of her guns on the starboard side,5 "see how that noble fellow, Collingwood, carries his ship into action!" Collingwood, delighted at being first in the heat of the fire, and knowing the feelings of his commander and old friend, turned to his captain and exclaimed, "Rotherham, what would Nelson give to be here!"

The enemy continued to fire one gun at a time at the Victory, till they saw that a shot had passed 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 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! 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 the Victory to be steered.

Meantime 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 cannon-shot while conversing with Hardy.7 Captain 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; 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 of marines, who were drawn up on the poop,8 and killed eight of them; upon which Nelson immediately desired Captain Adair to disperse his men round the ship, that they might not suffer so much from being together.

A few minutes afterwards, a shot struck the fore-brace bits9 on the quarter-deck, and passed between Nelson and Hardy, a 'splinter from the bit tearing off Hardy's buckle and bruising his foot. Both stopped, and looked anxiously at each other; each supposed the other to be wounded. Nelson then smiled and said, "This is too warm work, Hardy, 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 shot away, with all her studding-sails 10 and her booms.11 Nelson 'declared that in all his battles he had seen nothing which 'surpassed the cool courage of his crew on this occasion. At four minutes 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 of this, and asked him which he would prefer. Nelson replied, "Take your choice, Hardy; it does not signify much." The master was ordered to put the helm to port,12 and the Victory ran on board the Redoubtable, just as her tiller-ropes were shot away. French ship received her with a broadside, then instantly let down her lower deck ports, for fear of being boarded through them, and never afterwards fired a great gun during the action.

anx'iously, concern'edly. apprehen'sions, fears. bayonets, spears or swords

fixed on guns. communicated,conveyed'. conspicuous, prom'inent. declared', assert'ed. despatched', concluded. determina tion,

tion.

resolu'

dispersed', scat'tered.

13

recog

distinguishable,
niz'able.
engaged', in action.
entire'ly, completely.
entreat', beseech'.
exempt', free.
fer vently, warm'ly.
humane, merciful.
inces'sant, unceasing.
invest'ed, dec'orated.
neces'sity, need.

1 Battle of Trafalgar. (See OUTLINES OF HISTORY, Nelsons' School Series; and Map on page 17.)

Tyrolese, natives of the Tyrol, an Alpine province of Austria, and famous as marksmen with the rifle before it became the usual military small arm. The Tyrol was conquered by France in 1805, and annexed to Bavaria; but it revolted in 1809, and was restored to Austria at the peace.

Captain Suckling, Nelson's maternal uncle, on board of whose ship he had first entered the service, in his twelfth year.

The lee line, the line on the side opposite to that from which the wind blows; in this case the line nearest the land. The other side that nearest the wind-is called the weather line.

5 The starboard side, the side on the right hand of the steersman. The left hand side is the larboard (lower-board) or port.

6 Collingwood and Rotherham. "Both these brave officers, perhaps, at this moment thought of Nelson with gratitude for a circumstance which had occurred on the preceding day. Admiral Collingwood, with some of the captains, having gone on

The

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predominant,over-rül'ing.

pru'dently, discreet'ly.
splin ́ter, chip.

superior ity, ascen'dency.
surpassed', excelled'.
tarʼnish, sul'ly.
triumph'ant, victorious.
understand, comprehend'.

board the Victory to receive instructions,
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!' Immediately he sent a boat
for Captain Rotherham; led him, as soon
as he arrived, to Collingwood, and saying,
'Look, yonder are the enemy!' bade them
shake hands like Englishmen."-Southey.

Hardy (afterwards Sir Thomas), Nelson's flag-captain on board the Victory. He died in 1839.

8

The poop, a raised part of the deck towards the stern.

9 The brace bits, two upright pins or pieces of timber round which the braces (yard-arm ropes) are fastened.

10

Studding-sails, sails set outside of principal or square sails.

11

Booms, long poles or beams, used to extend the bottom of sails.

13

12 To port, to the left hand side. (See 5.) Tiller-ropes.-The tiller is the bar or lever used to turn the rudder; and the tiller-ropes connect the tiller with the steering-wheel.

QUESTIONS.-What was peculiar in the feeling of Englishmen towards Nelson? How was this shown at his last departure? What presentiment had Nelson regarding the day of the battle? Who commanded the lee line? What did Nelson do when all was ready? What was his last signal? How did Nelson make himself conspicuous? Why did none of his officers request him to avoid this? Who began the attack? To what vessel did Nelson order the Victory to be steered? How had she suffered before she opened her guns? Why was the Redoubtable attacked? With what effect?

YE MARINERS OF ENGLAND.

YE 'mariners of England!

Who guard our native seas,

Whose flag has braved a thousand years
The battle and the breeze,

Your glorious 'standard launch again,
To match another foe,

And sweep through the deep

While the 'stormy tempests blow;
While the battle rages long and loud,
And the stormy tempests blow.

The spirits of your 'fathers

Shall start from every wave!

For the deck it was their field of fame,
And ocean was their grave:
Where Blake) and mighty Nelson) fell
Your manly hearts shall glow,

As ye sweep through the deep

While the stormy tempests blow;
While the battle rages long and loud,
And the stormy tempests blow.

Britannia needs no 'bulwarks,

No towers along the steep;

Her march is o'er the mountain waves,
Her home is on the deep:
With thunders from her native oak
She 'quells the floods below,

As they roar on the shore

When the stormy tempests blow;
When the battle rages long and loud,
And the stormy tempests blow.

The meteor-flag of England
Shall yet 'terrific burn,

Till danger's 'troubled night depart,
And the star of peace return.
Then, then, ye ocean-warriors!
Our song and feast shall flow
To the fame of your name,

When the storm has ceased to blow;
When the fiery fight is heard no more,
And the storm has ceased to blow.

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BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR, AND DEATH OF NELSON.

PART II.

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 example himself, he twice gave orders to cease firing on the Redoubtable, supposing that she had struck because her guns were silent; for, as she carried no flag, there was no means of instantly ascertaining the fact. From this ship, which he had thus twice spared, he received his death. A ball fired from her mizzen-top,1 which, in the then situation of the two vessels, was not more than fifteen yards from that part of the deck where he was standing, struck the ‘epaulet on his left shoulder, about a quarter after one, just in the heat of the action. He fell upon his face on the spot which was covered with his poor secretary's blood.

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Hardy, who was a few steps from him, turning round, saw three men raising him up. "They have done for me at last, Hardy," said he. "I hope not," cried Hardy. Yes," he replied; "my back-bone is shot through." Yet even now, not for a moment losing his presence of mind, he observed, 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 2 immediately; 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 those badges of honour from the enemy, England, perhaps, would not have had cause to receive with sorrow the news of the Battle of Trafalgar.

3

The cockpit was crowded with wounded and dying men, over whose 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, 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 'momently 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 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 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 hurrahed; and at each hurrah a visible expression of joy gleamed in the eyes and marked the countenance of the dying hero. But he became 'impatient to see Hardy; and as that officer, though often sent for, could not leave the deck, Nelson feared that some fatal cause prevented him, and repeatedly cried, "Will no one bring Hardy to me? He must be killed! he is surely dead!"

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An hour and ten minutes 'elapsed from the time when Nelson received his wound, before Hardy could come to him. They shook hands in silence, Hardy in vain struggling to suppress the feelings of that most painful and yet sublime moment. Well, Hardy," said Nelson, "how goes the day with us?" Very 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 round, and have no doubt of giving them a drubbing."—"I hope," said Nelson, "none of our ships have struck?" Hardy answered, "There is no fear of that."

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"I am a

Then, and not till then, Nelson spoke of himself. dead man, Hardy," said he. "I am going fast; it will be all over with me soon.' Hardy observed that he hoped Mr. Beatty could yet hold out some 'prospect of life. Oh, no," he replied; "it is impossible. My back is shot through. Beatty will tell you so." Hardy then once more shook hands with him, and with a heart almost bursting, 'hastened upon deck.

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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 my breast," putting his hand on his left side, "which tells me so.' When Beatty inquired whether his pain was very great, he replied, "So great, that I wish I were dead. Yet," he added, in a lower voice, one would like to live a little longer too!"

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Captain Hardy, some fifty minutes after he had left the cockpit, returned, and again taking the hand of his dying friend and commander, 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 or fifteen at least. "That's well," said Nelson; "but I bargained` for twenty." And then, in a stronger voice, he said, "Anchor, Hardy, anchor.” Hardy thereupon hinted that Admiral Collingwood (6) would take upon himself the direction of affairs. "Not

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