recklessness of personal danger,—­a very different thing from official recklessness, which he never showed even in his moments of greatest daring and highest inspiration.  The story is so hackneyed by frequent repetition as to make its relation a weariness to the biographer, the more so that the trait of extreme rashness in youth is one by no means so rare as to be specially significant of Nelson’s character.  It will be given in the words of his first biographers:—­

“There is also an anecdote recollected by Admiral Lutwidge, which marked the filial attention of his gallant cockswain.  Among the gentlemen on the quarter-deck of the Carcass, who were not rated midshipmen, there was, besides young Nelson, a daring shipmate of his, to whom he had become attached.  One night, during the mid-watch, it was concerted between them that they should steal together from the ship, and endeavour to obtain a bear’s skin.  The clearness of the nights in those high latitudes rendered the accomplishment of this object extremely difficult:  they, however, seem to have taken advantage of the haze of an approaching fog, and thus to have escaped unnoticed.  Nelson in high spirits led the way over the frightful chasms in the ice, armed with a rusty musket.  It was not, however, long before the adventurers were missed by those on board; and, as the fog had come on very thick, the anxiety of Captain Lutwidge and his officers was very great.  Between three and four in the morning the mist somewhat dispersed, and the hunters were discovered at a considerable distance, attacking a large bear.  The signal was instantly made for their return; but it was in vain that Nelson’s companion urged him to obey it.  He was at this time divided by a chasm in the ice from his shaggy antagonist, which probably saved his life; for the musket had flashed in the pan, and their ammunition was expended.  ‘Never mind,’ exclaimed Horatio, ’do but let me get a blow at this devil with the but-end of my musket, and we shall have him.’  His companion, finding that entreaty was in vain, regained the ship.  The captain, seeing the young man’s danger, ordered a gun to be fired to terrify the enraged animal.  This had the desired effect; but Nelson was obliged to return without his bear, somewhat agitated with the apprehension of the consequence of this adventure.  Captain Lutwidge, though he could not but admire so daring a disposition, reprimanded him rather sternly for such rashness, and for conduct so unworthy of the situation he occupied; and desired to know what motive he could have for hunting a bear?  Being thought by his captain to have acted in a manner unworthy of his situation, made a deep impression on the high-minded cockswain; who, pouting his lip, as he was wont to do when agitated, replied, ’Sir, I wished to kill the bear, that I might carry its skin to my father.’”

Upon his return to England from the Arctic Seas, Nelson again by his own choice determined his immediate future.