the life of horatio lord nelson-第22章
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would 〃soon be done for。〃
Before the enemy could form a regular order of battle； Sir J。 Jervis； by carrying a press of sail； came up with them； passed through their fleet； then tacked； and thus cut off nine of their ships from the main body。 These ships attempted to form on the larboard tack； either with a design of passing through the British line； or to leeward of it； and thus rejoining their friends。 Only one of them succeeded in this attempt； and that only because she was so covered with smoke that her intention was not discovered till she had reached the rear： the others were so warmly received； that they put about； took to flight； and did not appear again in the action to its close。 The admiral was now able to direct his attention to the enemy's main body； which was still superior in number to his whole fleet； and greatly so in weight of metal。 He made signal to tack in succession。 Nelson； whose station was in the rear of the British line； perceived that the Spaniards were bearing up before the wind； with an intention of forming their line； going large； and joining their separated ships； or else of getting off without an engagement。 To prevent either of these schemes； he disobeyed the signal without a moment's hesitation： and ordered his ship to be wore。 This at once brought him into action with the SANTISSIMA TRINIDAD； one hundred and thirty…six； the SAN JOSEPH； one hundred and twelve； the SALVADOR DEL MUNDO； one hundred and twelve； the SAN NICOLAS； eighty； the SAN ISIDRO； seventy…four； another seventy…four； and another first…rate。 Troubridge； in the CULLODEN； immediately joined； and most nobly supported him； and for nearly an hour did the CULLODEN and CAPTAIN maintain what Nelson called 〃this apparently； but not really unequal contest；〃such was the advantage of skill and discipline； and the confidence which brave men derive from them。 The BLENHEIM then passing between them and the enemy； gave them a respite； and poured in her fire upon the Spaniards。 The SALVADOR DEL MUNDO and SAN ISIDRO dropped astern； and were fired into in a masterly style by the EXCELLENT； Captain Collingwood。 The SAN ISIDRO struck； and Nelson thought that the SALVADOR struck also。 〃But Collingwood；〃 says he； 〃disdaining the parade of taking possession of beaten enemies； most gallantly pushed up； with every sail set； to save his old friend and messmate； who was to appearance in a critical situation；〃 for the CAPTAIN was at this time actually fired upon by three first…ratesby the SAN NICOLAS； and by a seventy…four； within about pistol…shot of that vessel。 The BLENHEIM was ahead； the CULLODEN crippled and astern。 Collingwood ranged up； and hauling up his mainsail just astern； passed within ten feet of the SAN NICOLAS； giving her a most tremendous fire； then passed on for the SANTISSIMA TRINIDAD。 The SAN NICOLAS luffing up； the SAN JOSEPH fell on board her； and Nelson resumed his station abreast of them； and close alongside。 The CAPTAIN was now incapable of further service； either in the line or in chase： she had lost her foretop…mast； not a sail； shroud； or rope was left； and her wheel was shot away。 Nelson therefore directed Captain Miller to put the helm a…starboard； and calling for the boarders； ordered them to board。
Captain Berry； who had lately been Nelson's first lieutenant； was the first man who leaped into the enemy's mizen chains。 Miller； when in the very act of going； was ordered by Nelson to remain。 Berry was supported from the spritsail…yard； which locked in the SAN NICOLAS's main rigging。 A soldier of the 69th broke the upper quarter…gallery window； and jumped in； followed by the commodore himself and by the others as fast as possible。 The cabin doors were fastened； and the Spanish officers fired their pistols at them through the window； the doors were soon forced； and the Spanish brigadier fell while retreating to the quarter…deck。 Nelson pushed on； and found Berry in possession of the poop； and the Spanish ensign hauling down。 He passed on to the forecastle； where he met two or three Spanish officers； and received their swords。 The English were now in full possession of every part of the ship； when a fire of pistols and musketry opened upon them from the admiral's stern… gallery of the SAN JOSEPH。 Nelson having placed sentinels at the different ladders； and ordered Captain Miller to send more men into the prize； gave orders for boarding that ship from the SAN NICOLAS。 It was done in an instant； he himself leading the way。 and exclaiming； 〃Westminster Abbey or victory！〃 Berry assisted him into the main chains； and at that moment a Spanish officer looked over the quarter…deck rail； and said they surrendered。 It was not long before he was on the quarter… deck； where the Spanish captain presented to him his sword； and told him the admiral was below dying of his wounds。 There； on the quarter…deck of an enemy's first…rate； he received the swords of the officers； giving them； as they were delivered； one by one to William Fearney； one of his old AGAMEMNONs； who； with the utmost coolness； put them under his arm； 〃bundling them up；〃 in the lively expression of Collingwood； 〃with as much composure as he would have made a faggot； though twenty…two sail of their line were still within gunshot。〃 One of his sailors came up； and with an Englishman's feeling took him by the hand； saying he might not soon have such another place to do it in； and he was heartily glad to see him there。 Twenty…four of the CAPTAIN's men were killed； and fifty… six wounded； a fourth part of the loss sustained by the whole squadron falling upon this ship。 Nelson received only a few bruises。
The Spaniards had still eighteen or nineteen ships which had suffered little or no injury： that part of the fleet which had been separated from the main body in the morning was now coming up； and Sir John Jervis made signal to bring to。 His ships could not have formed without abandoning those which they had captured； and running to leeward： the CAPTAIN was lying a perfect wreck on board her two prizes； and many of the other vessels were so shattered in their masts and rigging as to be wholly unmanageable。 The Spanish admiral meantime； according to his official account； being altogether undecided in his own opinion respecting the state of the fleet； inquired of his captains whether it was proper to renew the action； nine of them answered explicitly that it was not； others replied that it was expedient to delay the business。 The PELAYO and the PRINCE CONQUISTADOR were the only ships that were for fighting。
As soon as the action was discontinued； Nelson went on board the admiral's ship。 Sir John Jervis received him on the quarter…deck； took him in his arms； and said he could not sufficiently thank him。 For this victory the commander…in…chief was rewarded with the title of Earl St。 Vincent。 Nelson； who before the action was known in England had been advanced to the rank of rear…admiral； had the Order of the Bath given him。 The sword of the Spanish rear…admiral； which Sir John Jervis insisted upon his keeping； he presented to the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich； saying that he knew no place where it could give him or his family more pleasure to have it kept than in the capital city of the county where he was born。 The freedom of that city was voted him on this occasion。 But of all the numerous congratulations which he received； none could have affected him with deeper delight than that which came from his venerable father。 〃I thank my God；〃 said this excellent man； 〃with all the power of a grateful soul； for the mercies he has most graciously bestowed on me in preserving you。 Not only my few acquaintance here； but the people in general； met me at every corner with such handsome words； that I was obliged to retire from the public eye。 The height of glory to which your professional judgment； united with a proper degree of bravery； guarded by Providence； has raised you； few sons； my dear child； attain to； and fewer fathers live to see。 Tears of joy have involuntarily trickled down my furrowed cheeks： who could stand the force of such general congratulation？ The name and services of Nelson have sounded through this city of Bathfrom the common ballad… singer to the public theatre。〃 The good
