s foiled in his plans by circumstances of wind
and tide, he still considered it a point of honour that some attempt
should be made. This was on the 22nd of July: he re-embarked his men
that night, got the ships on the 24th to anchor about two miles north of
the town, and made show as if he intended to attack the heights. At six
in the evening signal was made for the boats to prepare to proceed on
the service as previously ordered.

When this was done, Nelson addressed a letter to the
commander-in-chief--the last which was ever written with his right
hand. "I shall not," said he, "enter on the subject, why we are not in
possession of Santa Cruz. Your partiality will give credit, that all has
hitherto been done which was possible, but without effect. This night I,
humble as I am, command the whole destined to land under the batteries
of the town; and to-morrow my head will probably be crowned either with
laurel or cypress. I have only to recommend Josiah Nisbet to you and my
country. The Duke of Clarence, should I fall, will, I am confident,
take a lively interest for my son-in-law, on his name being mentioned."
Perfectly aware how desperate a service this was likely to prove, before
he left the THESEUS he called Lieutenant Nisbet, who had the watch on
deck, into the cabin, that he might assist in arranging and burning his
mother's letters. Perceiving that the young man was armed, he earnestly
begged him to remain behind. "Should we both fall, Josiah," said he,
"what will become of your poor mother! The care of the THESEUS falls to
you: stay, therefore, and take charge of her." Nisbet replied: "Sir, the
ship must take care of herself: I will go with you to-night, if I never
go again."

He met his captains at supper on board the SEAHORSE, Captain Freemantle,
whose wife, whom he had lately married in the Mediterranean, presided at
table. At eleven o'clock the boats, containing between 600 and 700 men,
with 180 on board the FOX cutter, and from 70 to 80 in a boat which had
been taken the day before, proceeded in six divisions toward the town,
conducted by all the captains of the squadron, except Freemantle and
Bowen, who attended with Nelson to regulate and lead the way to the
attack. They were to land on the mole, and thence hasten as fast as
possible into the great square; then form and proceed as should be found
expedient. They were not discovered till about half-past one o'clock,
when, being within half gun-shot of the