Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1911-Jan 1912)

94 THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE "But when the day of Trafalgar dawned — so feeble are the dispositions of man — the plan, by reason of the wind and the enemy's position, was found to be useless. 'Twas then that the Nelson touch became paramount. By a quick shifting of his line, the attack was made in column, and not, as planned, in line; yet the essential remained — to break the allies' line by sudden attack and to strike, and strike hard, while they were thus disorganized. I shall never forget his closing remarks, with their little touch of vanity : ' Let the battle be when it may, it will never have been surpassed. My shattered frame, if I survive that day, will require rest, and that is all I ask for. If I fall on such a glorious occasion, it shall be my pride to take care that my friends shall not blush for me. These things are in the hands of a wise and just Providence, and His will be done ! ' "And now that our plans were completed and the fleet, like huge birds of prey, circled always before the silent port of Cadiz, a yearning for those at home must needs come upon us — for me a sweet vision in garden hat and blowing curls, like a clear nimbus, lay ever before me. "A chance was given us to pen a final letter — the last link with old England — and my quill, with the dear words crowding to its nibs, hastened to comply. The huge blanks' our silent eyes had left, I hastened to fill in. The long wait before the battle, while it thirsted my lust of conflict, had made me all tender within. I know not all I writ — it was a formidable packet, some hours in the making — but when I came on deck the mail ship was under full sail and already some distance away. "I could have tossed the letter overboard and have cried with vexation, so bitter was the sight, had not one of those touches of rare humanity occurred which so endeared the admiral to those around him. He called me to him, and, sensing my remissness, bade me bring the signal officer, Lieutenant Pasco, to him. 'Hoist a signal to bring her back,' was Nel son's instant command. 'Who knows that he may not fall in action tomorrow?' And for that act I would have gladly given my life — dear father that he was to us all ! "And now the looked-for day was to come. The allies had literally eaten themselves out of Cadiz and must starve or leave the sheltering port. ' ' The 20th of October, opening with a fresh sou '-sou 'west breeze, found us cruising between the capes of Spartel and Trafalgar. Blackwood had signaled, 'The enemy appears determined to push to the westward,' and we had answered, 'I rely on your keeping sight of them. ' "Nelson strode the poop with quick, nervous steps. Seeing a group of young midshipmen there assembled, he turned to them and said: 'This day or tomorrow will be a fortunate one for you young gentlemen. ' He had a strong conviction — almost a presentiment — that the issue would be joined on the morrow, for on that date, October 21st, some fifty years agone, his uncle, Maurice Rucklin, had commanded a ship-of-the-line which had beaten off the enemy. "When daylight again showed the nearing fleets to each other, a stretch of some ten miles lay between us. In the far distance, Cape Trafalgar was just visible against the eastern sky. "The rising sun had scarce whitened our sails ere Nelson was on deck, dressed in his admiral 's frock coat, on the breast of which his glistening orders shone. And now, as a sentinel buffalo sends warnings to his herd, the signals from the Victory came in quick succession. 'From the order of sailing' was followed by 'Prepare for battle, ' and, as the Victory turned her bows toward the enemy, 'Bear up' fluttered in the breeze. "We were now approaching them in two divisions, the Victory leading one, Collingwood, in the Royal Sovereign, guiding the other. The breeze now fell to a very light one, and Villeneuve had time to somewhat prepare for our oncoming. Wishing to keep Cadiz under his lee, he gave orders to