Bowden rose to go but felt Pasco’s hand urgently on his ankle. ‘Sir?’
‘Hunker down, lad.’ Doing as he was told he felt Pasco fiddle at his back. ‘I thought so. Take off your coat.’
As Bowden tried to do so it stuck to him and a burning pain made him gasp.
‘You’ve taken a knock yourself, did you not know? Something’s laid open your back, younker.’
In the heat of the action he hadn’t noticed, but now a dull throb underlay the sharp burn.
‘Stay – sit down here. We’ll get the doctor to look at it when he’s able.’
‘Sir, it’s only a—’
‘No sense in taking chances now the battle’s won. Do as I say.’
Obediently he sat next to Pasco and tried to keep the horror of the infernal regions at bay. He was so close he couldn’t help but hear Nelson’s agitated plea. ‘Hardy! Will no one bring Hardy to me?’ he groaned. ‘He must be killed. Surely he is destroyed.’
Time dragged, and for Bowden the sight of Nelson in such agony was trying beyond reason. Those caring for him continued to murmur that Hardy would come as soon as he could, but it did not seem to ease his anxiety.
At length a figure came cautiously down the ladder. ‘Sir, I’m desired by Captain Hardy to assure you he is unharmed and will be down to see you presently.’
Nelson, his eyes closed and clearly semi-conscious, asked who it was brought the message. ‘It’s Mr Bulkeley, my lord,’ the purser said loudly.
‘It is his voice,’ Nelson said, almost in surprise. Then, rising above his pain, he turned unseeing eyes to the midshipman and added, ‘Remember me to your father, if you please.’
Later there was whispering among those who held him and the surgeon was sent for. ‘Yes, my lord?’
‘Ah, Beatty. I’ve sent for you to say that all power of motion below my breast is gone and you very well know I can live but for a short time.’
The surgeon carefully tested for feeling in Nelson’s legs, but the commander-in-chief whispered, ‘Ah, Beatty, I’m too certain of it. Scott and Burke have tried it already.
Beatty straightened slowly, finding the words with difficulty. ‘My lord, unhappily for our country nothing can be done for you.’ He turned his head away quickly, the glitter of tears caught in the lanthorn light.
Nelson subsided but said calmly, ‘I know it. I feel something rising in my breast which tells me. God be praised, I have done my duty.’
Cold with horror, Bowden heard it all and sat unspeaking until
‘Well, Hardy,’ Nelson whispered, after he was told of his arrival, ‘how goes the day with us?’
‘Very well, my lord,’ Hardy said softly, taking his hand. ‘We’ve got twelve or fourteen of the enemy’s ships in our possession but five of their van have tacked and show an intention of bearing down on
‘That is well, but I bargained on twenty.’ Nelson choked and recovered, a spasm of anxiety causing him to try to raise himself. ‘
The captain frowned. ‘I suppose, my lord, Admiral Collingwood will now take upon himself the direction of affairs.’
‘Not while I live, I hope, Hardy!’ Nelson gasped forcefully. ‘No, do
‘Shall we then make the signal, sir?’
‘Yes – for if I live, I’ll anchor!’
The spasm past, Nelson lay back but spoke once more. ‘Don’t throw me overboard, Hardy.’
Shocked, Hardy answered, ‘Oh, sir, no – certainly not!’
After a few moments Nelson rallied and said, his weak voice charged with feeling, ‘Take care of my dear Lady Hamilton, Hardy – do take care of poor Lady Hamilton.’
The effort seemed to exhaust him but he went on faintly, ‘Kiss me, Hardy.’
His friend knelt and kissed him on the cheek, and Nelson murmured, ‘Now I am satisfied. Thank God I have done my duty.’
Hardy stood for a minute or two, his face a mask, then knelt again and kissed him once more. ‘Who is that?’ Nelson whispered.
‘It is Hardy, my lord.’
‘God bless you, Hardy,’ Nelson said feebly.
The captain of
Bowden could not tear his eyes away from the scene; he saw the faithful Scott lean down as Nelson said weakly, ‘Doctor, I have not been a
Slipping in and out of consciousness he muttered, ‘Never forget Horatia,’ and again, ‘Thank God I have done my duty.’
