endance on His LORDSHIP; who became impatient to see him, and often
exclaimed: "Will no one bring HARDY to me? He must be killed: he is
surely destroyed," The Captain's Aide-de-camp, Mr. BULKLEY, now came
below, and stated that "circumstances respecting the Fleet required
Captain HARDY'S presence on deck, but that he would avail himself of
the first favourable moment to visit His LORDSHIP." On hearing him
deliver this message to the Surgeon, His LORDSHIP inquired who had
brought it. Mr. BURKE answered, "It is Mr. BULKLEY, my Lord."--"It is
his voice," replied His LORDSHIP: he then said to the young gentleman,
"Remember me to your father."
An hour and ten minutes however elapsed, from the time of His LORDSHIP's
being wounded, before Captain HARDY's first subsequent interview with
him; the particulars of which are nearly as follow. They shook hands
affectionately, and Lord NELSON said: "Well, HARDY, how goes the battle?
How goes the day with us?"--"Very well, my Lord," replied Captain HARDY:
"we have got twelve or fourteen of the Enemy's ships in our possession;
but five of their van have tacked, and shew an intention of bearing down
upon the Victory. I have therefore called two or three of our fresh
ships round us, and have no doubt of giving them a drubbing." "I hope,"
said HIS LORDSHIP, "none of _our_ ships have struck, HARDY."--"No, my
Lord," replied Captain HARDY; "there is no fear of that." Lord NELSON
then said: "I am a dead man, HARDY. I am going fast: it will be all over
with me soon. Come nearer to me. Pray let my dear Lady HAMILTON have my
hair, and all other things belonging to me." Mr. BURKE was about to
withdraw at the commencement of this conversation; but HIS LORDSHIP,
perceiving his intention, desired he would remain. Captain HARDY
observed, that "he hoped Mr. BEATTY could yet hold out some prospect of
life."--"Oh! no," answered HIS LORDSHIP; "it is impossible. My back is
shot through. BEATTY will tell you so." Captain HARDY then returned on
deck, and at parting shook hands again with his revered friend and
commander.
HIS LORDSHIP now requested the Surgeon, who had been previously absent a
short time attending Mr. RIVERS, to return to the wounded, and give his
assistance to such of them as he could be useful to; "for," said he,
"you can do nothing for me." The Surgeon assured him that the Assistant
Surgeons were doing every thing that could be effected for those
unfortunate men; but on HIS LORDSHIP's s
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