er-memorable signal to be
made--"England expects that every man will do his duty."

Nobly, I believe, one and all did their duty; and, oh! may Englishmen
never forget that signal in whatever work they may be engaged. It was
received with loud cheers throughout the fleet both by officers and men.
The _Royal Sovereign_, Lord Collingwood's ship, led the lee division,
and at ten minutes past noon commenced the action, by passing close
under the stern of the _Santa Anna_, discharging her larboard broadside
into her, and her starboard one at the same time into the _Fougueux_.
These two ships fired at her in return, as did the _San Leandro_ ahead,
and the _San Justo_ and _Indomitable_, until other ships came up and
engaged them. The action was now general. All that could be seen were
wreaths of smoke, masts and spars falling, shattered sails, shot
whizzing by, flames bursting out with a tremendous roar of guns, and a
constant rattle of musketry; ships closing and firing away at each
other, till it appeared impossible that they could remain afloat.

In the afternoon I know that we and the _Minotaur_ bore down on four
heavy ships of the combined squadron, which we hotly engaged, and
succeeded in cutting off the Spanish _Neptuno_. She was bravely
defended; but in two hours we compelled her to strike her flag, with the
loss of her mizzen-mast and fore and main-topmast. No seamen could have
fought more bravely than did the Spaniards on this occasion; but their
bravery did not avail them. As the spars of the enemy's ship went
tumbling down on deck, and his fire slackened, we one and all burst into
loud cheers, which contributed not a little to damp his courage. I
forgot my own individuality, my own sorrows and sufferings, in the joy
of the crew at large. I felt that a great and glorious victory was
almost won--the most important that English valour, with God's blessing,
had ever achieved on the ocean. I felt certain that the victory would
be gained by us. My spirits rose. I cheered and cheered away as loudly
as the rest. Many of our people had been struck down and carried below,
though comparatively few had been killed outright. I saw my messmates
wounded; but it never for a moment occurred to me that I should be
called on to share their fate. Suddenly, as I was hauling away at my
gun, I felt a stunning terrific blow. I tottered and fell I was in no
great pain, only horribly sick. The blood left my checks. It seemed