ire was
unslackened, he began to despair of success. "I will make the signal
of recall," said he to his captain, "for Nelson's sake. If he is in a
condition to continue the action successfully, he will disregard it;
if he is not, it will be an excuse for his retreat, and no blame can be
imputed to him." Captain Domett urged him at least to delay the signal
till he could communicate with Nelson; but in Sir Hyde's opinion the
danger was too pressing for delay. "The fire," he said, "was too hot for
Nelson to oppose; a retreat he thought must be made; he was aware of the
consequences to his own personal reputation, but it would be cowardly in
him to leave Nelson to bear the whole shame of the failure, if shame it
should be deemed." Under, a mistaken judgment, therefore, but with this
disinterested and generous feeling, he made the signal for retreat.

Nelson was at this time, in all the excitement of action, pacing the
quarter-deck. A shot through the mainmast knocked the splinters about;
and he observed to one of his officers with a smile, "It is warm work,
and this day may be the last to any of us at a moment:"--and then
stopping short at the gangway, added, with emotion--"But mark you!
I would not be elsewhere for thousands." About this time the
signal-lieutenant called out that number Thirty-nine (the signal for
discontinuing the action) was thrown out by the Commander-in-Chief. He
continued to walk the deck, and appeared to take no notice of it. The
signal officer met him at the next turn, and asked if he should repeat
it. "No," he replied, "acknowledge it." Presently he called after him
to know if the signal for close action was still hoisted; and being
answered in the affirmative, said, "Mind you keep it so." He now paced
the deck, moving the stump of his lost arm in a manner which always
indicated great emotion. "Do you know," said he to Mr. Ferguson, "what
is shown on board the Commander-in-Chief? Number Thirty-nine!" Mr.
Ferguson asked what that meant. "Why, to leave off action!" Then
shrugging up his shoulders, he repeated the words--"Leave off action?
Now, damn me if I do! You know, Foley," turning to the captain, "I have
only one eye,--I have a right to be blind sometimes:" and then putting
the glass to his blind eye, in that mood of mind which sports with
bitterness, he exclaimed, "I really do not see the signal!" Presently he
exclaimed, "Damn the signal! Keep mine for closer battle flying! That's
the way I an