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the life of horatio lord nelson-第32章

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o sail in close order; and it covered a less space than it would have done if the frigates had been with him: the weather also was constantly hazy。 These circumstances prevented the English from discovering the enemy on the way to Egypt; though it appeared; upon examining the journals of the French officers taken in the action; that the two fleets must actually have crossed on the night of the 22nd of June。 During the return to Syracuse; the chances of falling in with them were become fewer。

Why Buonaparte; having effected his landing; should not have suffered the fleet to return; has never yet been explained。 This much is certain; that it was detained by his command; though; with his accustomed falsehood; he accused Admiral Brueys; after that officer's death; of having lingered on the coast contrary to orders。 The French fleet arrived at Alexandria on the 1st of July; and Brueys; not being able to enter the port; which time and neglect had ruined; moored his ships in Aboukir Bay; in a strong and compact line of battle; the headmost vessel; according to his own account; being as close as possible to a shoal on the N。W。; and the rest of the fleet forming a kind of curve along the line of deep water; so as not to be turned by any means in the S。W。 By Buonaparte's desire he had offered a reward of 10;000 livres to any pilot of the country who would carry the squadron in; but none could be found who would venture to take charge of a single vessel drawing more than twenty feet。 He had therefore made the best of his situation; and chosen the strongest position which he could possibly take in an open road。 The  commissary of the fleet said they were moored in such a manner as to bid defiance to a force more than double their own。 This presumption could not then be thought unreasonable。 Admiral Barrington; when moored in a similar manner off St。 Lucia; in the year 1778; beat off the Comte d'Estaign in three several attacks; though his force was inferior by almost one…third to that which assailed it。 Here; the advantage in numbers; both in ships; guns; and men; was in favour of the French。 They had thirteen ships of the line and four frigates; carrying 1196 guns and 11;230 men。 The English had the same number of ships of the line and one fifty…gun ship; carrying 1012 guns and 8068 men。 The English ships were all seventy…fours; the French had three eighty…gun ships; and one three…decker of one hundred and twenty。

During the whole pursuit it had been Nelson's practice; whenever circumstances would permit; to have his captains on board the VANGUARD; and explain to them his own ideas of the different and best modes of attack; and such plans as he proposed to execute on falling in with the enemy; whatever their situation might be。 There is no possible position; it is said; which he did not take into calculation。 His officers were thus fully acquainted with his principles of tactics; and such was his confidence in their abilities that the only thing determined upon; in case they should find the French at anchor; was for the ships to form as most convenient for their mutual support; and to anchor by the stern。 〃First gain the victory;〃 he said;〃and then make the best use of it you can。〃 The moment he perceived the position of the French; that intuitive genius with which Nelson was endowed displayed itself; and it instantly struck him that where there was room for an enemy's ship to swing; there was room for one of ours to anchor。 The plan which he intended to pursue; therefore; was to keep entirely on the outer side of the French line; and station his ships; as far as he was able; one on the outer bow; and another  on the outer quarter; of each of the enemy's。 This plan of doubling on the enemy's ships was projected by Lord Hood; when he designed to attack the French fleet at their anchorage in Gourjean Road。 Lord Hood found it impossible to make the attempt; but the thought was not lost upon Nelson; who acknowledged himself; on this occasion; indebted for it to his old and excellent commander。 Captain Berry; when he comprehended the scope of the design; exclaimed with transport; 〃If we succeed; what will the world say ?〃  〃There is no IF in the case;〃 replied the admiral: 〃that we shall succeed is certain; who may live to tell the story is a very different question。〃

As the squadron advanced; they were assailed by a shower of shot and shells from the batteries on the island; and the enemy opened a steady fire from the starboard side of their whole line; within half gunshot distance; full into the bows of our van ships。 It was received in silence: the men on board every ship were employed aloft in furling sails; and below in tending the braces and making ready for anchoring。 A miserable sight for the French; who; with all their skill; and all their courage; and all their advantages of numbers and situation; were upon that element on which; when the hour of trial comes; a Frenchman has no hope。 Admiral Brueys was a brave and able man; yet the indelible character of his country broke out in one of his letters; wherein he delivered it as his private opinion; that the English had missed him; because; not being superior in force; they did not think it prudent to try their strength with him。 The moment was now come in which he was to be undeceived。

A French brig was instructed to decoy the English by manoeuvring so as to tempt them toward a shoal lying off the island of Bekier; but Nelson either knew the danger or suspected some deceit; and the lure was unsuccessful。 Captain Foley led the way in the GOLIATH; outsailing the ZEALOUS; which for some minutes disputed this post of honour with him。 He had long conceived that if the enemy were moored in line of battle in with the land; the best plan of attack would be to lead between them and the shore; because the French guns on that side were not likely to be manned; nor even ready for action。 Intending; therefore; to fix himself on the inner bow of the GUERRIER; he kept as near the edge of the bank as the depth of water would admit; but his anchor hung; and having opened his fire he drifted to the second ship; the CONQUERANT; before it was clear; then anchored by the stern inside of her; and in ten minutes shot away her mast。 Hood; in the ZEALOUS; perceiving this; took the station which the GOLIATH intended to have occupied; and totally disabled the GUERRIER in twelve minutes。 The third ship which doubled the enemy's van was the ORION; Sir J。 Saumarez; she passed to windward of the ZEALOUS; and opened her larboard guns as long as they bore on GUERRIER; then; passing inside the GOLIATH; sunk a frigate which annoyed her; hauled round toward the French line; and anchoring inside; between the fifth and sixth ships from the GUERRIER; took her station on the larboard bow of the FRANKLIN and the quarter of the PEUPLE SOUVERAIN; receiving and returning the fire of both。 The sun was now nearly down。 The AUDACIOUS; Captain Could; pouring a heavy fire into the GUERRIER and the CONQUERANT; fixed herself on the larboard bow of the latter; and when that ship struck; passed on to the PEUPLE SOUVERAIN。 The THESEUS; Capt Miller; followed; brought down the GUERRIER's remaining main and mizzen masts; then anchore
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