n full
confidence of winning what they saw, remarked to each other, what a
fine sight yonder ships would make at Spithead!

The French admiral, from the _Bucentaure_, beheld the new manner in
which his enemy was advancing, Nelson and Collingwood each leading his
line; and, pointing them out to his officers, he is said to have
exclaimed, that such conduct could not fail to be successful. Yet
Villeneuve had made his own dispositions with the utmost skill, and the
fleets under his command waited for the attack with perfect coolness.

Ten minutes before twelve they opened their fire. Eight or nine of the
ships immediately ahead of the _Victory_, and across her bows, fired
single guns at her, to ascertain whether she was yet within their range.
As soon as Nelson perceived that their shot passed over him, he desired
Blackwood, and Captain Prowse, of the _Sirius_, to repair to their
respective frigates; and, on their way, to tell all the captains of the
line of battle ships that he depended on their exertions; and that, if
by the prescribed mode of attack they found it impracticable to get into
action immediately, they might adopt whatever they thought best,
provided it led them quickly and closely alongside an enemy.

As they were standing on the front of the poop, Blackwood took him by
the hand, saying, he hoped soon to return and find him in possession of
twenty prizes. He replied: "God bless you, Blackwood! I shall never see
you again."

Nelson's column was steered about two points more to the north than
Collingwood's, in order to cut off the enemy's escape into Cadiz: the
lee-line, therefore, was first engaged.

"See," cried Nelson, pointing to the _Royal Sovereign_, as she steered
right for the centre of the enemy's line, cut through it astern of the
_Santa Anna_, three-decker, and engaged her at the muzzle of her guns on
the starboard side: "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!"

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
board the _Victory_ to receive instructions, Nelson inquired of him
where his captain was and