the life of horatio lord nelson-第23章
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ave sounded through this city of Bathfrom the common ballad… singer to the public theatre。〃 The good old man concluded by telling him that the field of glory； in which he had so long been conspicuous； was still open； and by giving him his blessing。
Sir Horatio； who had now hoisted his flag as rear…admiral of the blue； was sent to bring away the troops from Porto Ferrajo； having performed this； he shifted his flag to the THESEUS。 That ship； had taken part in the mutiny in England； and being just arrived from home； some danger was apprehended from the temper of the men。 This was one reason why Nelson was removed to her。 He had not been on board many weeks before a paper； signed in the name of all the ship's company； was dropped on the quarter…deck； containing these words： 〃Success attend Admiral Nelson！ God bless Captain Miller！ We thank them for the officers they have placed over us。 We are happy and comfortable； and will shed every drop of blood in our veins to support them； and the name of the THESEUS shall be immortalised as high as her captain's。〃 Wherever Nelson commanded； the men soon became attached to him； in ten days' time he would have restored the most mutinous ship in the navy to order。 Whenever an officer fails to win the affections of those who are under his command； he may be assured that the fault is chiefly in himself。
While Sir Horatio was in the THESEUS； he was employed in the command of the inner squadron at the blockade of Cadiz。 During this service； the most perilous action occurred in which he was ever engaged。 Making a night attack upon the Spanish gun…boats； his barge was attacked by an armed launch； under their commander； D。 Miguel Tregoyen； carrying 26 men。 Nelson had with him only his ten bargemen； Captain Freemantle； and his coxswain； John Sykes； an old and faithful follower； who twice saved the life of his admiral by parrying the blows that were aimed at him； and at last actually interposed his own head to receive the blow of a Spanish sabre； which he could not by any other means avert； thus dearly was Nelson beloved。 This was a desperate servicehand to hand with swords； and Nelson always considered that his personal courage was more conspicuous on this occasion than on any other during his whole life。 Notwithstanding the great disproportion of numbers； 18 of the enemy were killed； all the rest wounded； and their launch taken。 Nelson would have asked for a lieutenancy for Sykes； if he had served long enough； his manner and conduct； he observed； were so entirely above his situation； that Nature certainly intended him for a gentleman； but though he recovered from the dangerous wound which he received in this act of heroic attachment； he did not live to profit by the gratitude and friendship of his commander。
Twelve days after this rencontre； Nelson sailed at the head of an expedition against Teneriffe。 A report had prevailed a few months before； that the viceroy of Mexico； With the treasure ships； had put into that island。 This had led Nelson to meditate the plan of an attack upon it； which he communicated to Earl St。 Vincent。 He was perfectly aware of the difficulties of the attempt。 〃I do not；〃 said he； 〃reckon myself equal to Blake； but； if I recollect right； he was more obliged to the wind coming off the land than to any exertions of his own。 The approach by sea to the anchoring…place is under very high land； passing three valleys； therefore the wind is either in from the sea； or squally with calms from the mountains：〃 and he perceived that if the Spanish ships were won； the object would still be frustrated if the wind did not come off shore。 The land force； he thought； would render success certain； and there were the troops from Elba； with all necessary stores and artillery； already embarked。 〃But here；〃 said he； 〃soldiers must be consulted； and I know； from experience； they have not the same boldness in undertaking a political measure that we have： we look to the benefit of our country； and risk our own fame every day to serve her； a soldier obeys his orders； and no more。〃 Nelson's experience at Corsica justified him in this harsh opinion： he did not live to see the glorious days of the British army under Wellington。 The army from Elba； consisting of 3700 men； would do the business； he said； in three days； probably in much less time； and he would undertake； with a very small squadron； to perform the naval part； for though the shore was not easy of access； the transports might run in and land the troops in one day。
The report concerning the viceroy was unfounded： but a homeward… bound Manilla ship put into Santa Cruz at this time； and the expedition was determined upon。 It was not fitted out upon the scale which Nelson had proposed。 Four ships of the line； three frigates； and the FOX cutter； formed the squadron； and he was allowed to choose such ships and officers as he thought proper。 No troops were embarked； the seamen and marines of the squadron being thought sufficient。 His orders were； to make a vigorous attack； but on no account to land in person； unless his presence should be absolutely necessary。 The plan was； that the boats should land in the night； between the fort on the N。E。 side of Santa Cruz bay and the town； make themselves masters of that fort； and then send a summons to the governor。 By midnight； the three frigates； having the force on board which was intended for this debarkation； approached within three miles of the place； but owing to a strong gale of wind in the offing； and a strong current against them in…shore； they were not able to get within a mile of the landing…place before daybreak； and then they were seen； and their intention discovered。 Troubridge and Bowen； with Captain Oldfield； of the marines； went upon this to consult with the admiral what was to be done； and it was resolved that they should attempt to get possession of the heights above the fort。 The frigates accordingly landed their men； and Nelson stood in with the line…of…battle ships； meaning to batter the fort for the purpose of distracting the attention of the garrison。 A calm and contrary current hindered him from getting within a league of the shore； and the heights were by this time so secured； and manned with such a force； as to be judged impracticable。 Thus foiled in his plans by circumstances of wind and tide； he still considered it a point of honour that some attempt should be made。 This was on the 22nd of July： he re…embarked his men that night； got the ships on the 24th to anchor about two miles north of the town； and made show as if he intended to attack the heights。 At six in the evening signal was made for the boats to prepare to proceed on the service as previously ordered。
When this was done； Nelson addressed a letter to the commander…in… chiefthe last which was ever written with his right hand。 〃I shall not；〃 said he；〃enter on the subject； why we are not in possession of Santa Cruz。 Your partiality will give credit； that all has hitherto been done which was possible； but without effect。 This night I； humble as I am； command the whole destined to land under the batteries of the town； and to…morrow my head will probably be crowned either with laurel or cypress。 I have only to recommend Josiah Nisbet to you and my country。 The Duke of Clarence； should I fall； will； I am confident； take a lively interest for my son…in…law； on his name being mentioned。〃 Perfectly aware how desperate a service this was likely to prove； before he left the THESEUS he called Lieutenant Nisbet； who had the watch on deck； into the cabin； that he might assist in arranging and burning his mother's letters。 Perceiving that the young man was armed； he earnestly begged him to remain behind。 〃Should we both fall； Josiah；〃 said he； 〃what will become of your poor mother！ The care of the THESEUS falls to you： stay； therefore； and take charge of her。〃 Nisbet replied： 〃Sir； the ship must take care of herself： I will go with you to…night； if I never go again。〃
He met his captains at supper on board the SEAHORSE； Captain Freemantle； whose wife； whom he had lately married in the Mediterranean； presided at table。 At eleven o'clock the boats； containing between 600 and 700 men； with 180 on board the FOX cutter； and f
