Nelson And Hardy

: True Stories Of Wonderful Deeds

Lord Nelson was one of the greatest seamen that ever lived. He commanded

the British fleet at the battle of Trafalgar, when the navies of France

and Spain were beaten, and England was saved from a great danger. He did

not look like a famous admiral on board his ship, the Victory, that

day. He was a small man, and his clothes were shabby. He had lost one

arm and one eye in battle; but with the eye which remained he could see
<
r /> more than most men with two, and his brain was busy planning the course

of the coming fight. Just before it began, he went over his ship, giving

orders to the crew, and cheering them with kind words, which touched the

hearts of the rough men, who loved their leader and were proud of him.

"England expects every man to do his duty" was the last message he sent

them. Every man did his duty nobly that day, though the battle was

fierce and long; but it was the last fight of the brave commander. He

was shot in the back as he walked the deck with his friend Captain

Hardy, and was carried below.



He lay dying for several hours, but, in spite of his great pain, his one

thought was of the battle. "How goes the day with us?" he asked of

Hardy; and when told that many of the enemies' ships were taken, he

cried eagerly, "I am glad. Whip them, Hardy, as they have never been

whipped before." Later, when his friend came to tell him that the

victory was won, Nelson pressed his hand. "Good-bye, Hardy!" said he, "I

have done my duty, and I thank God for it." These were the last words of

one of England's bravest sons.



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