Page:Memoirs of the life and gallant services of Admiral Lord Nelson.pdf/5

 of Admiral Lord Nelſon. 5 February, juſt in time to communicate the intelli- gence relative to the force and ſtate of the Spaniſh fleet, and to ſhift his pendant on board the Cap. tain, of ſeventy-four guns, commanded by Captain Miller. Commodore Nelſon had not removed from La Minerve to the Captain many minutes, when, on the evening of the ſame day, the ſignal was thrown out for the Britiſh fleet to prepare for action; the ſhips were alſo directed to keep in cloſt order dur- ing the night. By a bold god deciſive maneuvre, the Commodore reached the ſixth ſhip from the e- nemy's rear, which bore the Spaniſh Admiral's flag, the Santiſſima Trinidada, of one hundred and thirty- ſix guns; a ſhip of four decks, reported to be the largeſt in the world. Not with ſtanding the incqua- lity of force, the Commodore inſtantly engaged this coloſſal opponent; and for a conſiderable time had to contend not only with her, but with her ſeconds ahead and aſtern, each of three decks. The commodore's ardour would not permit him to remain an inactive ſpectator of this ſcene. He therefore, as if by magic-impulſe, accompanied the party in this attack; and arrived in time to receive the ſword of the dying commander, who had been mortally wounded by the boarders. He had not been long employed in taking the neceſſary meaſures to ſecure this hard-earned con- queſt, when he found himſelf engaged in a more arduous taſk. The ſtern of the three-decker, his former opponent, was placed directly amidships of the weather-beam of the prize, San Nicholas; and the enemy ſorely annoyed with muſketry the British who had hoarded the San Nicholas. The undaunt- ed Commodore, whom no danger ever appalled, headed himſelf the aſſailants in this new attack; ex- claiming, Weſtminſter Abbey! or glorious Victory! and ſucceſs in a few minutes crowned the enterpriſe. In