FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48  
49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   >>   >|  
id he, `we must not appear in a hurry; bring a candle and sealing-wax.' Captain Sir Frederick Thesiger, with a flag of truce, took the letter, and after some time the Danes sent one in return to arrange what was to be done, and the battle of Copenhagen, for so it was called, was over. "While negotiations were going on, Lord Nelson ordered the ships to take advantage of a fair wind, and to start out of the narrow channels. As we in the `Elephant' were going out we grounded, as did the `Defiance,' about a mile from the Trekroner battery, and there we remained for many hours. At last, however, we got off. We had to burn all our prizes except one ship, the `Holstein,' 64, which was sent home. The next day Lord Nelson went on shore to visit the prince, and settle matters. He was received with great respect, and he told the Danes that he had never had a braver enemy, or known men fight better than they had done, and that now he hoped that they would all be friends again for ever after. Lord Nelson now returned to the `Saint George,' and the fleet sailed to the eastward to look after the Swedes. We were off Bornholm, but the `Saint George' could not get through a shallow channel which had to be passed, and was some twelve leagues astern of us. Every minute we expected to be engaged with the enemy. At midnight, who should step on board the `Elephant' but Lord Nelson himself. The night was very cold, but he had come all that distance in an open boat without even a cloak, so eager was he to be present at the expected battle. None took place, and after a little time I was sent home invalided." VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER FOUR. "When I came home from the Baltic, I and others were landed at Yarmouth, and sent to the hospital. I was some time in getting well. I'll tell you what set me on my legs again. One day as I was lying on my bed in the crowded ward, thinking if I should ever recover, and be fit for sea again, the news came that a brig of war had entered the harbour with Lord Nelson on board. Would you believe it, I was thanking Heaven that our brave admiral had come back safe, and was in a half dreamy, dozing state, when I heard a cheer, and opening my eyes there he was himself going round from bed to bed, and talking to each of the men. He knew me at once, and told me that I must make haste and get well and join his ship, as it wouldn't be long probably before he again hoisted his flag. "`You shall have any
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48  
49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61   62   63   64   65   66   67   68   69   70   71   72   73   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Nelson

 
George
 

Elephant

 
expected
 

battle

 

Yarmouth

 
hospital
 

present

 

distance

 

Baltic


CHAPTER

 
invalided
 

VOLUME

 

landed

 

talking

 

opening

 

hoisted

 
wouldn
 

dozing

 

dreamy


recover

 

thinking

 

crowded

 

entered

 

admiral

 
Heaven
 
harbour
 

thanking

 
grounded
 

Defiance


channels
 

narrow

 

advantage

 

Trekroner

 
battery
 

remained

 

Captain

 

Frederick

 
sealing
 

candle


Thesiger

 
negotiations
 

ordered

 

called

 

Copenhagen

 
letter
 

return

 
arrange
 

prizes

 

Bornholm