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A Sailor's Fortune.
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Table Talk.
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Travels in North America.
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Life of Nelson
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They have done for me at last, Hardy, said he.
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I hope not, cried Hardy.
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Yes, he replied;
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Yet even now, not for a moment losing his presence of mind, he observed, as they were carrying him down the ladder, that the tiller ropes, which had been shot away, were not yet replaced, and ordered that new ones should be rove immediately: then, that he might not be seen by the crew, he took out his handkerchief, and covered his face and his stars. Had he but concealed these badges of honor from the enemy, England perhaps would not have had cause to receive with sorrow the news of the battle of Trafalgar. The cockpit was crowded with wounded and dying men; over whose bodies he was with some difficulty conveyed, and laid upon a pallet in the midshipmen's berth. It was soon perceived, upon examination, that the wound was mortal. This, however, was concealed from all except Captain Hardy, the chaplain, and the medical attendants. He himself being certain, from the sensation in his back, and the gush of blood he felt momentarily within his breast, that no human care could avail him, insisted that the surgeon should leave him, and attend to those to whom he might be useful;
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said he,
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Will no one bring Hardy to me? he must be killed; he is surely dead! An hour and ten minutes elapsed from the time when Nelson received his wound before Hardy could come to him. They shook hands in silence: Hardy in vain struggling to suppress the feelings of that most painful and yet sublimest moment.
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Well, Hardy, said Nelson,
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Very well, replied Hardy;
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I hope, said Nelson,
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Hardy answered,
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There was no fear of that. Then, and not till then, Nelson spoke of himself.
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I am a dead man, Hardy, said he;
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I am going fast: it will be all over with me soon. Come nearer to me. Let my dear Lady Hamilton have my hair, and all other things belonging to me. Hardy observed, that he hoped Mr. Beatty could yet hold out some prospect of life.
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O no, he replied;
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You know I am gone. I know it. I feel something rising in my breast, putting his hand on his left side,
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And upon Beatty's inquiring whether his pain was very great, he replied,
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So great that he wished he was dead. Yet, said he, in a lower voice,
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And after a few minutes, in the same undertone, he added:
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What would become of poor Lady Hamilton, if she knew my situation! Next to his country she occupied his thoughts. Captain Hardy, some fifty minutes after he had left the cockpit, returned; and, again taking the hand of his dying friend and commander, congratulated him on having gained a complete victory. How many of the enemy were taken he did not know, as it was impossible to perceive them distinctly; but fourteen or fifteen at least.
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That's well, cried Nelson;
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And then, in a stronger voice, he said:
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Anchor, Hardy; anchor. Hardy, upon this, hinted that Admiral Collingwood would take upon himself the direction of affairs.
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Not while I live, Hardy, said the dying Nelson, ineffectually endeavoring to raise himself from the bed:
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His previous orders for preparing to anchor had shown clearly he foresaw the necessity of this. Presently, calling Hardy back, he said to him, in a low voice,
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Don't throw me overboard ; and he desired that he might be buried by his parents, unless it should please the King to order otherwise. Then reverting to private feelings:
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Take care of my dear Lady Hamilton, Hardy: take care of poor Lady Hamilton. Kiss me, Hardy, said he. Hardy knelt down and kissed his cheek; and Nelson said,
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Now I am satisfied. Thank God, I have done my duty! Hardy stood over him in silence for a moment or two, then knelt again and kissed his forehead.
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Who is that? said Nelson; and being informed, he replied,
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God bless you, Hardy. And Hardy then left him--forever. Nelson now desired to be turned upon his right side, and said,
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I wish I had not left the deck; for I shall soon be gone. Death was, indeed, rapidly approaching. He said to the chaplain,
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Doctor, I have _not_ been a _great_ sinner ; and after a short pause,
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Remember that I leave Lady Hamilton and my daughter Horatia as a legacy to my country. His articulation now became difficult; but he was distinctly heard to say,
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Thank God, I have done my duty!