ot at once control. "I know it," said Nelson.
"I feel something rising in my breast," putting his hand on his left
side, "which tells me I am gone. God be praised, I have done my duty."
To this latter thought he continually recurred.

At about three o'clock, the five ships of the enemy's van, passing
within gunshot to windward,[142] opened fire upon the British ships
and their prizes. The "Victory" with her consorts replied. "Oh,
Victory! Victory!" cried the sufferer, "how you distract my poor
brain!" and after a pause added, "How dear life is to all men!" This
distant exchange of shots was ineffectual, except to kill or wound a
few more people, but while it continued Hardy had to be on deck, for
the flag of the commander-in-chief still vested his authority in that
ship. During this period an officer was sent to Collingwood to inform
him of the admiral's condition, and to bear a personal message of
farewell from the latter; but Nelson had no idea of transferring any
portion of his duty until he parted with his life also.

A short hour elapsed between Hardy's leaving the cockpit and his
returning to it, which brings the time to four o'clock. Strength had
ebbed fast meanwhile, and the end was now very near; but Nelson was
still conscious. The friends again shook hands, and the captain,
before releasing his grasp, congratulated the dying hero upon the
brilliancy of the victory. It was complete, he said. How many were
captured, it was impossible to see, but he was certain fourteen or
fifteen. The exact number proved to be eighteen. "That is well," said
Nelson, but added, faithful to his exhaustive ideas of sufficiency, "I
bargained for twenty." Then he exclaimed, "_Anchor_, Hardy, _anchor_!"
Hardy felt the embarrassment of issuing orders now that Collingwood
knew that his chief was in the very arms of death; but Nelson was
clearly within his rights. "I suppose, my Lord," said the captain,
"Admiral Collingwood will now take upon himself the direction of
affairs." "Not while I live, I hope, Hardy," cried Nelson, and for a
moment endeavored, ineffectually, to raise himself from the bed. "No.
Do _you_ anchor, Hardy." Captain Hardy then said, "Shall we make the
signal, Sir?" "Yes," answered the admiral, "for if I live, I'll
anchor." These words he repeated several times, even after Hardy had
left him, and the energy of his manner showed that for the moment the
sense of duty and of responsibility had triumphed over his increasin