bers of
men on board the prizes. One of their ships, the `Danbrog,' after she
had struck and was in flames, fired on our boats. Notwithstanding this,
when she was seen drifting away before the wind, the fire gaining on
her, Captain Bertie, of the `Ardent,' sent his boats to the assistance
of the poor fellows as they leaped out of the ports to escape the
flames. At last Lord Nelson, wishing to put a stop to the carnage,
wrote to the Crown Prince, the Danish commander, saying if he did not
cease firing he must burn the prizes. A wafer was brought him. `That
will not do,' said 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."

IV.

"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 sh