we were not successful, will show what an Englishman is equal to.”  His conduct affords for all time an example of superb courage in the face of extraordinary and unexpected difficulty and danger, and especially of single-minded energy in carrying through one’s own share of an enterprise, without misplaced concern about consequences, or worry as to whether the other parties were prospering or not.  Had Nelson reached the square he would have found Troubridge there, and that was the one thing about which the latter needed to care.  Nelson’s own words recur to mind:  “I have not a thought on any subject separated from the immediate object of my command,”—­a maxim eminently suited to the field and to the subordinate, though not necessarily so to the council chamber or to the general officer.  Troubridge that night proved himself invaluable as a subordinate, though the conduct of the previous attempt seems to show a lack of that capacity to seize a favorable moment, although in the presence of a superior, of which Nelson himself had given so brilliant an example at Cape St. Vincent.

The squadron remained off Teneriffe for three days after the assault, intercourse with the shore for the purpose of obtaining fresh provisions being permitted by the governor, between whom and the admiral were exchanged complimentary letters and presents of courtesy.  On the 27th Nelson sailed for Cadiz, and on the 16th of August rejoined the commander-in-chief, now become Earl St. Vincent.  The latter received him with generous sympathy and appreciation, which leave little doubt as to what his verdict would have been, had the gallant initiative taken by his junior at St. Vincent ended in disaster, instead of in brilliant success.  Nelson’s letters, sent ahead of the squadron by a frigate, had shown the despondency produced by suffering and failure, which had reversed so sharply the good fortune upon which he had begun to pride himself.  “I am become a burthen to my friends and useless to my Country.  When I leave your command, I become dead to the world; I go hence and am no more seen.”  “Mortals cannot command success,” replied St. Vincent.  “You and your companions have certainly deserved it, by the greatest degree of heroism and perseverance that ever was exhibited.”  Nelson had asked for his stepson’s promotion, implying that he himself would not hereafter be in a position of influence to help the boy—­for he was little more.  “He is under obligations to me, but he repaid me by bringing me from the mole of Santa Cruz.”  “He saved my life,” he said more than once afterwards.  St. Vincent immediately made him a commander into the vacancy caused by the death of Captain Bowen, who had fallen in the assault.  “Pretty quick promotion,” wrote his messmate Hoste, who probably knew, from close association, that Nisbet had not the promising qualities with which he was then credited by his stepfather, from whom in later years he became wholly estranged.