estminster
Abbey! or, glorious victory!"

"Success, in a few minutes, and with little loss, crowned the
enterprise. Such, indeed, was the panic occasioned by his preceding
conduct, that the British no sooner appeared on the quarter-deck of
their new opponent, than the commandant advanced; and, asking for
the British commanding officer, dropped on one knee, and presented
to him his sword; mentioning, at the same time, as an excuse for
the Spanish admiral's not appearing, that he was dangerously
wounded. For a moment, Commodore Nelson could scarcely persuade
himself of this second instance of good fortune: he, therefore,
ordered the Spanish commandant, who had the rank of a brigadier, to
assemble the officers on the quarter-deck, and direct steps to be
instantly taken for communicating to the crew the surrender of the
ship. All the officers immediately appeared; and the commodore had
the surrender of the San Josef duly confirmed, by each of them
delivering to him his sword.

"William Fearney, one of the commodore's bargemen, had attended
close by his side throughout this perilous adventure. To him the
commodore gave in charge the swords of the Spanish officers, as he
received them; and the jolly tar, as they were delivered to him,
tucked these honourable trophies under his arm, with all the
_sang-froid_ imaginable. It was at this moment, also, that a
British sailor, who had long fought under the commodore, came up,
in the fullness of his heart; and, excusing the liberty he was
taking, asked to shake him by the hand, to congratulate him on
seeing him safe on the quarter-deck of a Spanish three decker.

"This new conquest had scarcely submitted, and the commodore
returned on board the San Nicolas, when the latter ship was
discovered to be on fire in two places. At the first moment,
appearances were alarming; but presence of mind, and resources,
were not wanting to the British officers in this emergency. The
firemen were immediately ordered from the Captain; and, proper
means being taken, the fires were soon got under.

"A signal was now made, by the Captain, for boats to assist in
separating her from her two prizes: and, as the Captain was
incapable of farther service till refitted, Commodore Nelson
hoisted his broad pendant, for the mome