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ed； Nelson； with Riou； in the AMAZON； made his last examination of the ground； and about one o'clock； returning to his own ship； threw out the signal to weigh。 It was received with a shout throughout the whole division； they weighed with a light and favourable wind： the narrow channel between the island of Saltholm and the Middle Ground had been accurately buoyed； the small craft pointed out the course distinctly； Riou led the way： the whole division coasted along the outer edge of the shoal； doubled its further extremity； and anchored there off Draco Point； just as the darkness closedthe headmost of the enemy's line not being more than two miles distant。 The signal to prepare for action had been made early in the evening； and as his own anchor dropt； Nelson called out； 〃I will fight them the moment I have a fair wind！〃 It had been agreed that Sir Hyde； with the remaining ships； should weigh on the following morning； at the same time as Nelson； to menace the Crown Batteries on his side； and the four ships of the line which lay at the entrance of the arsenal； and to cover our own disabled ships as they came out of action。
The Danes； meantime； had not been idle： no sooner did the guns of Cronenburgh make it known to the whole city that all negotiation was at an end； that the British fleet was passing the Sound； and that the dispute between the two crowns must now be decided by arms； than a spirit displayed itself most honourable to the Danish character。 All ranks offered themselves to the service of their country； the university furnished a corps of 1200 youth； the flower of Denmarkit was one of those emergencies in which little drilling or discipline is necessary to render courage available： they had nothing to learn but how to manage the guns； and day and night were employed in practising them。 When the movements of Nelson's squadron were perceived； it was known when and where the attack was to be expected； and the line of defence was manned indiscriminately by soldiers； sailors； and citizens。 Had not the whole attention of the Danes been directed to strengthen their own means of defence； they might most materially have annoyed the invading squadron； and perhaps frustrated the impending attack； for the British ships were crowded in an anchoring ground of little extent：it was calm； so that mortar…boats might have acted against them to the utmost advantage； and they were within range of shells from Amak Island。 A few fell among them； but the enemy soon ceased to fire。 It was learned afterwards； that； fortunately for the fleet； the bed of the mortar had given way； and the Danes either could not get it replaced； or； in the darkness； lost the direction。
This was an awful night for Copenhagenfar more so than for the British fleet； where the men were accustomed to battle and victory； and had none of those objects before their eyes which rendered death terrible。 Nelson sat down to table with a large party of his officers： he was； as he was ever wont to be when on the eve of action； in high spirits； and drank to a leading wind； and to the success of the morrow。 After supper they returned to their respective ships； except Riou； who remained to arrange the order of battle with Nelson and Foley； and to draw up instructions。 Hardy； meantime； went in a small boat to examine the channel between them and the enemy； approaching so near that he sounded round their leading ship with a pole； lest the noise of throwing the lead should discover him。 The incessant fatigue of body； as well as mind； which Nelson had undergone during the last three days； had so exhausted him that he was earnestly urged to go to his cot； and his old servant； Allen； using that kind of authority which long and affectionate services entitled and enabled him to assume on such occasions； insisted upon his complying。 The cot was placed on the floor； and he continued to dictate from it。 About eleven Hardy returned； and reported the practicability of the channel； and the depth of water up to the enemy's line。 About one the orders were completed； and half…a…dozen clerks； in the foremost cabin； proceeded to transcribe them； Nelson frequently calling out to them from his cot to hasten their work； for the wind was becoming fair。 Instead of attempting to get a few hours' sleep； he was constantly receiving reports on this important point。 At daybreak it was announced as becoming perfectly fair。 The clerks finished their work about six。 Nelson； who was already up； breakfasted； and made signal for all captains。 The land forces and five hundred seamen； under Captain Freemantle and the Hon。 Colonel Stewart； were to storm the Crown Battery as soon as its fire should be silenced： and Riouwhom Nelson had never seen till this expedition； but whose worth he had instantly perceived； and appreciated as it deservedhad the BLANCHE and ALCMENE frigates； the DART and ARROW sloops。 and the ZEPHYR and OTTER fire…ships； given him； with a special command to act as circumstances might requireevery other ship had its station appointed。
Between eight and nine； the pilots and masters were ordered on board the admirals' ships。 The pilots were mostly men who had been mates in Baltic traders； and their hesitation about the bearing of the east end of the shoal； and the exact line of deep water； gave ominous warning of how little their knowledge was to be trusted。 The signal for action had been made； the wind was fairnot a moment to be lost。 Nelson urged them to be steady； to be resolute； and to decide； but they wanted the only ground for steadiness and decision in such cases； and Nelson had reason to regret that he had not trusted to Hardy's single report。 This was one of the most painful moments of his life； and he always spoke of it with bitterness。 〃I experienced in the Sound；〃 said he； 〃the misery of having the honour of our country entrusted to a set of pilots； who have no other thought than to keep the ships clear of danger； and their own silly heads clear of shot。 Everybody knows what I must have suffered； and if any merit attaches itself to me； it was for combating the dangers of the shallows in defiance of them。〃 At length Mr。 Bryerly； the master of the BELLONA； declared that he was prepared to lead the fleet； his judgment was acceded to by the rest； they returned to their ships； and at half…past nine the signal was made to weigh in succession。
Captain Murray； in the EDGAR； led the way； the AGAMEMNON was next in order； but on the first attempt to leave her anchorage； she could not weather the edge of the shoal； and Nelson had the grief to see his old ship； in which he had performed so many years' gallant services； immovably aground at a moment when her help was so greatly required。 Signal was then made for the POLYPHEMUS； and this change in the order of sailing was executed with the utmost promptitude： yet so much delay had thus been unavoidably occasioned； that the EDGAR was for some time unsupported； and the POLYPHEMUS； whose place should have been at the end of the enemy's line； where their strength was the greatest； could get no further than the beginning； owing to the difficulty of the channel： there she occupied； indeed； an efficient station； but one where her presence was less required。