LORD HORATIO NELSON 283
time that he had set foot ashore since June i6, 1803. After cruising in search of the enemy till the middle of August, he was ordered to Portsmouth, where he learned that an indecisive action had taken place between the combined fleets returning from the West Indies, and the British under Sir Robert Calder. He had not been many days established at home before certain news arrived that the French and Spanish fleets had entered Cadiz. Eager to gain the reward of his long watchings, and laborious pursuit, he again offered his services, which were gladly accepted. He embarked at Portsmouth, September 14, 1805, on board the Victory, to take the command of the fleet lying off Cadiz, under Ad- miral Collingwood, his early friend and companion in the race of fame. The last battle in which Nelson was engaged was fought off Cape Trafalgar, October 21, 1805. The enemy were superior in number of ships, and still more in size and weight of metal. Nelson bore down on them in two lines, heading one himself, while Collingwood, in the Royal Sovereign, led the other, which .first entered into action. " See," cried Nelson, as the Royal Sovereign cut through the centre of the enemy's line, and muzzle to muzzle engaged a three-decker, " see how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ships into action." Collingwood, on the other hand, said to his captain, " Rotherham, what would Nelson give to be here ? " As the Victory approached an incessant raking fire was directed against her, by which fifty of her men were killed and wounded before a single gun was returned. Nelson steered for his old opponent at Cape St. Vincent, the Santissima Trini- dad, distinguished by her size, and opened his fire at four minutes after twelve, engaging the Reaoubtable with his starboard, the Santissima Trinidad and Bu- centaur with his larboard guns. About a quarter past one, a musket-ball, fired from the mizzen-top of the Re- doubtable, struck him on the left shoulder, and he fell. From the first he felt the wound to be mortal. He suffered intense pain, yet still preserved the liveliest in- terest in the fate of the action ; and the joy visible in his countenance as often as the hurrahs of the crew announced that an enemy had struck, testified how near his heart, even in the agonies of death, was the accomplishment of the great work to which his life had been devoted. He lived to know that his victory was com- plete and glorious, and expired tranquilly at half-past four. His last words were, "Thank God, I have done my duty." He had indeed done his duty, and completed his task ; for thenceforth no hostile fleet presumed to contest the dominion of the sea. It may seem mourn- ful that he did not survive to enjoy the thanks and honors with which a grateful country would have rejoiced to recompense this crowning triumph. But he had reached the pinnacle of fame ; and his death in the hour of victory has tended far more than a few years of peaceful life, to keep alive his memory in the hearts of ii people which loved, and a navy which adored him.
