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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 fairnot 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 have suffered； and if any merit attaches itself to me； it was for combating the dangers of the shallows in defiance of them。〃 At length Mr。 Bryerly； the master of the BELLONA； declared that he was prepared to lead the fleet； his judgment was acceded to by the rest； they returned to their ships； and at half…past nine the signal was made to weigh in succession。
Captain Murray； in the EDGAR； led the way； the AGAMEMNON was next in order； but on the first attempt to leave her anchorage； she could not weather the edge of the shoal； and Nelson had the grief to see his old ship； in which he had performed so many years' gallant services； immovably aground at a moment when her help was so greatly required。 Signal was then made for the POLYPHEMUS； and this change in the order of sailing was executed with the utmost promptitude： yet so much delay had thus been unavoidably occasioned； that the EDGAR was for some time unsupported； and the POLYPHEMUS； whose place should have been at the end of the enemy's line； where their strength was the greatest； could get no further than the beginning； owing to the difficulty of the channel： there she occupied； indeed； an efficient station； but one where her presence was less required。 The ISIS followed with better fortune； and took her own berth。 The BELLONA； Sir Thomas Boulden Thompson； kept too close on the starboard shoal； and grounded abreast of the outer ship of the enemy： this was the more vexatious； inasmuch as the wind was fair； the room ample； and three ships had led the way。 The RUSSELL； following the BELLONA； grounded in like manner： both were within reach of shot； but their absence from their intended stations was severely felt。 Each ship had been ordered to pass her leader on the starboard side； because the water was supposed to shoal on the larboard shore。 Nelson； who came next after these two ships； thought they had kept too far on the starboard direction； and made signal for them to close with the enemy； not knowing that they were aground； but when he perceived that they did not obey the signal； he ordered the ELEPHANT's helm to starboard； and went within these ships： thus quitting the appointed order of sailing； and guiding those which were to follow。 The greater part of the fleet were probably； by this act of promptitude on his part； saved from going on shore。 Each ship； as she arrived nearly opposite to her appointed station； let her anchor go by the stern； and presented her broadside to the Danes。 The distance between each was about half a cable。 The action was fought nearly at the distance of a cable's length from the enemy。 This； which rendered its continuance so long； was owing to the ignorance and consequent indecision of the pilots。 In pursuance of the same error which had led the BELLONA and the RUSSELL aground； they； when the lead was at a quarter less five； refused to approach nearer； in dread of shoaling their water on the larboard shore： a fear altogether erroneous； for the water deepened up to the very side of the enemy's line of battle。
At five minutes after ten the action began。 The first half of our fleet was engaged in about half an hour； and by half…past eleven the battle became general。 The plan of the attack had been complete： but seldom has any plan been more disconcerted by untoward accidents。 Of twelve ships of the line； one was entirely useless； and two others in a situation where they could not render half the service which was required of them。 Of the squadron of gun…brigs； only one could get into action； the rest were prevented； by baffling currents； from weathering the eastern end of the shoal； and only two of the bomb…vessels could reach their station on the Middle Ground； and open their mortars on the arsenal； firing over both fleets。 Riou took the vacant station against the Crown Battery； with his frigates： attempting； with that unequal force； a service in which three sail of the line had been directed to assist。
Nelson's agitation had been extreme when he saw himself； before the action began； deprived of a fourth part of his ships of the line； but no sooner was he in battle； where his squadron was received with the fire of more than a thousand guns； than； as if that artillery； like music； had driven away all care and painful thoughts； his countenance brightened； and； as a bystander describes him； his conversation became joyous； animated； elevated； and delightful。 The Commander…in…Chief meantime； near enough to the scene of action to know the unfavourable accidents which had so materially weakened Nelson； and yet too distant to know the real state of the contending parties； suffered the most dreadful anxiety。 To get to his assistance was impossible； both wind and current were against him。 Fear for the event； in such circumstances； would naturally preponderate in the bravest mind； and at one o'clock； perceiving that； after three hours' endurance； the enemy's fire 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 answer signals！ Nail mine to the mast！〃 Admiral Graves； who was so situated that he could not discern what was done on board the ELEPHANT； disobeyed Sir Hyde's signal in like manner； whether by fortunate mistake； or by a like brave intention； has not been made known。 The other ships of the line； looking only to Nelson； continued the action。 The signal； however； saved Riou's little squadron； but did not save its heroic leader。 This squadron； which was nearest the Commander…in…Chief； obeyed and hauled off。 It had suffered severely in its most unequal contest。 For a long time the AMAZON had been firing； enveloped in smoke； when Riou desired his men to stand fast； and let the smoke clear off； that they might see what they were about。 A fatal orderfor the Danes then got clear sight of her from the batteries； and pointed their guns with such tremendous effect that nothing but the signal for retreat saved this frigate from destruction。 〃What wi