uld not pass ahead if the VICTORY continued to carry all her sail;
and so far was Nelson from shortening sail, that it was evident he took
pleasure in pressing on, and rendering it impossible for them to obey
his own orders. A long swell was setting into the bay of Cadiz: our
ships, crowding all sail, moved majestically before it, with light winds
from the south-west. The sun shone on the sails of the enemy; and their
well-formed line, with their numerous three-deckers, made an appearance
which any other assailants would have thought formidable; but the
British sailors only admired the beauty and the splendour of the
spectacle; and in full confidence of winning what they saw, remarked to
each other what a fine sight yonder ships would make at Spithead!

The French admiral, from the BUCENTAURE, beheld the new manner in which
his enemy was advancing--Nelson and Collingwood each leading his line;
and pointing them out; to his officers, he is said to have exclaimed
that such conduct could not fail to be successful. Yet Villeneuve had
made his own dispositions with the utmost skill and the fleets under his
command waited for the attack with perfect coolness. Ten minutes before
twelve they opened their fire. Eight or nine of the ships immediately
ahead of the VICTORY, and across her bows, fired single guns at her,
to ascertain whether she was yet within their range. As soon as Nelson
perceived that their shot passed over him, he desired Blackwood and
Captain Prowse, of the SIRIUS, to repair to their respective frigates;
and, on their way, to tell all the captains of the line-of-battle ships
that he depended on their exertions; and that if, by the prescribed mode
of attack, they found it impracticable to get into action immediately,
they might adopt whatever they thought best, provided it led them
quickly and closely alongside an enemy. As they were standing on the
front of the poop, Blackwood took him by the hand, saying, he hoped soon
to return and find him in possession of twenty prizes. He replied, "God
bless you, Blackwood; I shall never see you again."

Nelson's column was steered about two points more to the north than
Collingwood's, in order to cut off the enemy's escape into Cadiz: the
lee line, therefore, was first engaged. "See," cried Nelson, pointing to
the ROYAL SOVEREIGN, as she steered right for the centre of the enemy's
line, cut through it astern of the SANTA ANNA three-decker, and engaged
her at the muzzle o