the last three days, had so exhausted him
that he was earnestly urged to go to his cot; and his old servant,
Allen, using that kind of authority which long and affectionate services
entitled and enabled him to assume on such occasions, insisted upon his
complying. The cot was placed on the floor, and he continued to dictate
from it. About eleven Hardy returned, and reported the practicability
of the channel, and the depth of water up to the enemy's line. About
one the orders were completed; and half-a-dozen clerks, in the foremost
cabin, proceeded to transcribe them, Nelson frequently calling out to
them from his cot to hasten their work, for the wind was becoming fair.
Instead of attempting to get a few hours' sleep, he was constantly
receiving reports on this important point. At daybreak it was announced
as becoming perfectly fair. The clerks finished their work about
six. Nelson, who was already up, breakfasted, and made signal for
all captains. The land forces and five hundred seamen, under Captain
Freemantle and the Hon. Colonel Stewart, were to storm the Crown Battery
as soon as its fire should be silenced: and Riou--whom Nelson had never
seen till this expedition, but whose worth he had instantly perceived,
and appreciated as it deserved--had the BLANCHE and ALCMENE frigates,
the DART and ARROW sloops, and the ZEPHYR and OTTER fire-ships, given
him, with a special command to act as circumstances might require--every
other ship had its station appointed.

Between eight and nine, the pilots and masters were ordered on board the
admirals' ships. The pilots were mostly men who had been mates in Baltic
traders; and their hesitation about the bearing of the east end of the
shoal, and the exact line of deep water, gave ominous warning of how
little their knowledge was to be trusted. The signal for action had been
made, the wind was fair--not a moment to be lost. Nelson urged them
to be steady, to be resolute, and to decide; but they wanted the only
ground for steadiness and decision in such cases; and Nelson had reason
to regret that he had not trusted to Hardy's single report. This was one
of the most painful moments of his life; and he always spoke of it with
bitterness. "I experienced in the Sound," said he, "the misery of having
the honour of our country entrusted to a set of pilots, who have no
other thought than to keep the ships clear of danger, and their own
silly heads clear of shot. Everybody knows what I must