The stricken hero was at once carried below, himself covering his face and the decorations of his coat with his handkerchief, that the sight of their loss might not affect the ship’s company at this critical instant.  The cockpit was already cumbered with the wounded and dying, but the handkerchief falling from his face, the surgeon recognized him, and came at once to him.  “You can do nothing for me, Beatty,” he said; “I have but a short time to live.”  The surgeon also uttered the involuntary exclamation of encouragement, which rises inevitably to the lips at such a moment; but a short examination, and the sufferer’s statement of his sensations, especially the gushing of blood within the breast, which was vividly felt, convinced him that there was indeed no hope.  “Doctor, I am gone,” he said to the Rev. Mr. Scott, the chaplain, who knelt beside him; and then added in a low voice, “I have to leave Lady Hamilton, and my adopted daughter Horatia, as a legacy to my Country.”

After the necessary examination had been made, nothing further could be done, nor was attempted, than to obtain the utmost possible relief from suffering.  Dr. Scott and the purser of the “Victory” sustained the bed under his shoulders, raising him into a semi-recumbent posture, the only one that was supportable to him, and fanned him; while others gave him the cooling drink—­lemonade—­which he continually demanded.  Those about did not speak to him, except when addressed; but the chaplain, to whom Nelson frequently said, “Pray for me, Doctor,” ejaculated with him short prayers from time to time.  The agony of mortal pain wrung from him repeated utterance, though no unmanly complaint; and his thoughts dwelt more upon home and the battle than upon his own suffering and approaching death.  His mind remained clear until he became speechless, about fifteen minutes before he passed away, and he took frequent notice of what occurred near him, as well as of sounds on deck.

The hour that succeeded his wounding was the decisive one of the fight; not that the issue admitted of much doubt, after once Nelson’s plans had received fulfilment, and the battle joined,—­unless the delinquent van of the allies had acted promptly,—­but in those moments the work was done which was thenceforth, for the enemy, beyond repair.  Overhead, therefore, the strife went on incessantly, the seamen toiling steadily at their guns, and cheering repeatedly.  Near the admiral lay Lieutenant Pasco, severely but not fatally wounded.  At one burst of hurrahs, Nelson asked eagerly what it was about; and Pasco replying that another ship had struck, he expressed his satisfaction.  Soon he became very anxious for further and more exact information of the course of the battle, and about the safety of Captain Hardy, upon whom now was devolved such guidance as the fleet, until the action was over, must continue to receive from the flagship of the commander-in-chief.  In accordance with his wishes many messages were sent