st
important of considerations. Thus the British passed so much beyond
the island and the shoal, before keeping away, that, as the long
column swept round to head for the French van, the ships turned their
port broadsides to the enemy, and were steering southwesterly when
they finally ran down. "The English admiral," wrote the French second
in command, "without doubt had experienced pilots on board; he hauled
well round all dangers."

The "Goliath" still leading the fleet, followed closely by the
"Zealous," the flagship was dropped to sixth in the order,--Nelson
thus placing himself so that he could see what the first five ships
accomplished, while retaining in his own hands the power to impart a
new direction to the remaining five of those then with him, should he
think it necessary. Captain Foley had formed the idea that the French
would be less ready to fight on the inshore side, and had expressed
his intention to get inside them, if practicable. Sounding as he went,
he passed round the bows of the leading vessel, the "Guerrier," on the
inner bow of which he intended to place himself; but the anchor hung,
and the "Goliath" brought up on the inner quarter of the "Conquerant,"
the second ship. The "Zealous," following, anchored where Foley had
purposed, on the bow of the "Guerrier;" and the next three ships, the
"Orion," "Theseus," and "Audacious," also placed themselves on the
inner side of the French line.

The two leading French vessels were at once crushed. All the masts of
the "Guerrier," although no sail was on them, went overboard within
ten minutes after she was first attacked, while the "Conquerant" was
receiving the united broadsides of the "Goliath" and the
"Audacious,"--the latter raking. Nelson therefore placed the
"Vanguard" on the outer side, and within pistol-shot, of the third
French ship, the "Spartiate," which was already engaged on the other
side by the "Theseus," but at much longer range. His example was of
course followed by those succeeding him--the seventh and eighth of the
British engaging the fourth and fifth of the French, which were
already receiving part of the fire of the "Orion" and "Theseus" on the
inner side--the latter having ceased to play upon the "Spartiate" for
fear of hitting the "Vanguard." Thus five French ships were within
half an hour in desperate conflict with eight British, while their
consorts to leeward looked helplessly on.

The ninth and tenth of Nelson's fleet were