ready for victorious action at a moment's notice.

[Illustration: The _VICTORY_. Nelson's Flagship at Trafalgar, launched
in 1765, and still used as the flagship in Portsmouth Harbour.]

Villeneuve had thirty-three battleships, Nelson only twenty-seven. But
these twenty-seven all belonged to one navy and were manned by crews who
had been drilled for battle on the open sea without a single spell of
mere harbour work, like the French and Spaniards. Still, the enemy were
brave, and Nelson remarked that "they put a good face on it." But he
quickly added, "I'll give them such a dressing as they never had before."
It was a lovely day of light west wind and bright sunshine as the British
bore down to the attack in two lines-ahead ("follow-my-leader"), the port
(or left) one led by Nelson in the immortal _Victory_, flying the battle
signal "Engage the enemy more closely," and the starboard one by
Collingwood in the _Royal Sovereign_. The first shot was fired on the
stroke of noon, or at "eight bells," as they say on board. Nelson's
plan, as usual, was to strike hardest at the weakest spot, which he knew
he could reach because his fleet was so much better trained. He and
Collingwood went through the enemy's long line at two spots about half a
mile apart, crushing his centre, and separating his front from his rear.
The double-shotted British guns raked the enemy vessels with frightful
effect as their muzzles passed close by the sterns. The enemy fired back
bravely enough; but with much less skill and confidence. The Spaniards
were already beginning to feel none too friendly toward Napoleon; while
the French had already lost their trust in Spanish help.

[Illustration: TRAFALGAR. 21st October, 1805.]

Yet the Spaniards were a proud people, not to be beaten without a hard
struggle; while the French were bound to do their best in any ease. So
the fight was furious and fought at the closest quarters. The gunners
could often see every feature of their opponents' faces and were
sometimes scorched by the flashes from opposing guns. The _Victory_ was
fighting a terrific duel with the French _Redoutable_, and Nelson was
pacing the deck with his flag-captain, Hardy, when, at 1.25, he suddenly
sank on his knees and fell over on his side, having been hit by a
musket-shot fired from the enemy's mizzentop, only fifteen yards away.
"They've done for me at last," said Nelson, as Hardy stooped over him. A
Sergeant of Marines and