that five minutes are at once the most important and the least important of considerations.  Thus the British passed so much beyond the island and the shoal, before keeping away, that, as the long column swept round to head for the French van, the ships turned their port broadsides to the enemy, and were steering southwesterly when they finally ran down.  “The English admiral,” wrote the French second in command, “without doubt had experienced pilots on board; he hauled well round all dangers.”

The “Goliath” still leading the fleet, followed closely by the “Zealous,” the flagship was dropped to sixth in the order,—­Nelson thus placing himself so that he could see what the first five ships accomplished, while retaining in his own hands the power to impart a new direction to the remaining five of those then with him, should he think it necessary.  Captain Foley had formed the idea that the French would be less ready to fight on the inshore side, and had expressed his intention to get inside them, if practicable.  Sounding as he went, he passed round the bows of the leading vessel, the “Guerrier,” on the inner bow of which he intended to place himself; but the anchor hung, and the “Goliath” brought up on the inner quarter of the “Conquerant,” the second ship.  The “Zealous,” following, anchored where Foley had purposed, on the bow of the “Guerrier;” and the next three ships, the “Orion,” “Theseus,” and “Audacious,” also placed themselves on the inner side of the French line.

The two leading French vessels were at once crushed.  All the masts of the “Guerrier,” although no sail was on them, went overboard within ten minutes after she was first attacked, while the “Conquerant” was receiving the united broadsides of the “Goliath” and the “Audacious,”—­the latter raking.  Nelson therefore placed the “Vanguard” on the outer side, and within pistol-shot, of the third French ship, the “Spartiate,” which was already engaged on the other side by the “Theseus,” but at much longer range.  His example was of course followed by those succeeding him—­the seventh and eighth of the British engaging the fourth and fifth of the French, which were already receiving part of the fire of the “Orion” and “Theseus” on the inner side—­the latter having ceased to play upon the “Spartiate” for fear of hitting the “Vanguard.”  Thus five French ships were within half an hour in desperate conflict with eight British, while their consorts to leeward looked helplessly on.

The ninth and tenth of Nelson’s fleet were less fortunate, owing to the envelope of smoke and the growing darkness, which now obscured the scene.  The “Bellerophon,” missing the sixth French vessel, the “Franklin,” brought up abreast the “Orient,” whose force was double her own, and which had no other antagonist.  The “Majestic,” groping her way, ran into the ninth French, the “Heureux,” where for some moments she hung in a position of disadvantage and had her captain killed.  Then swinging clear,