Читать книгу The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril, & Heroism (Vol. 1-4). The History of Sea Voyages, Discovery, Piracy and Maritime Warfare онлайн

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“Ringed round by five three-deckers, she had fought through all the fight,

And now, a log upon the waves, she lay—a glorious sight—

All crippled, but still full of fight, for still her broadsides roared,

Still death and wounds, fear and defeat, into the Don she poured.”

Two of Nelson’s antagonists were now nearly hors de combat, one of them, the San Nicolas, in trying to escape from Collingwood’s fire, having got foul of the San Josef. Nelson resolved in an instant to board and capture both—an unparalleled feat, which, however, was accomplished, although

“To get at the San Josef, it seemed beyond a hope;

Out then our admiral spoke, and well his words our blood could stir—

‘In, boarders, to their seventy-four! We’ll make a bridge of her.’ ”

The “bridge” was soon taken; but a steady fire of musketry was poured upon them from the San Josef. Nelson directed his people to fire into the stern, and sending for more boarders, led the way up the main-chains, exclaiming, “Westminster Abbey or victory!” In a few moments the officers and crew surrendered; and on the quarter-deck of a Spanish first-rate he received the swords of the vanquished, which he handed to William Fearney, one of his bargemen, who tucked them, with the greatest sang-froid, in a perfect sheaf under his arm. The Victory came up at the moment, and saluted the conquerors with hearty cheers.