The stern of the three-decker, his former opponent, was directly amidships on the weather-beam of the San Nicolas; and, from her poop and galleries, the enemy sorely annoyed, with musketry, the British who had boarded the San Nicolas.  The commodore was not long in resolving on the conduct to be adopted on this momentous occasion.  The two alternatives that presented themselves to his unshaken mind, were to quit the prize, or instantly board the three-decker.  Confident of the bravery of his seamen, he determined on the latter.  Directing, therefore, an additional number of men to be sent from the Captain on board the San Nicolas, the undaunted Commodore headed, himself, the assailants in this new attack; vehemently exclaiming—­“Westminster Abbey! or, glorious victory!”

“Success, in a few minutes, and with little loss, crowned the enterprise.  Such, indeed, was the panic occasioned by his preceding conduct, that the British no sooner appeared on the quarter-deck of their new opponent, than the commandant advanced; and, asking for the British commanding officer, dropped on one knee, and presented to him his sword; mentioning, at the same time, as an excuse for the Spanish admiral’s not appearing, that he was dangerously wounded.  For a moment, Commodore Nelson could scarcely persuade himself of this second instance of good fortune:  he, therefore, ordered the Spanish commandant, who had the rank of a brigadier, to assemble the officers on the quarter-deck, and direct steps to be instantly taken for communicating to the crew the surrender of the ship.  All the officers immediately appeared; and the commodore had the surrender of the San Josef duly confirmed, by each of them delivering to him his sword.

“William Fearney, one of the commodore’s bargemen, had attended close by his side throughout this perilous adventure.  To him the commodore gave in charge the swords of the Spanish officers, as he received them; and the jolly tar, as they were delivered to him, tucked these honourable trophies under his arm, with all the sang-froid imaginable.  It was at this moment, also, that a British sailor, who had long fought under the commodore, came up, in the fullness of his heart; and, excusing the liberty he was taking, asked to shake him by the hand, to congratulate him on seeing him safe on the quarter-deck of a Spanish three decker.

“This new conquest had scarcely submitted, and the commodore returned on board the San Nicolas, when the latter ship was discovered to be on fire in two places.  At the first moment, appearances were alarming; but presence of mind, and resources, were not wanting to the British officers in this emergency.  The firemen were immediately ordered from the Captain; and, proper means being taken, the fires were soon got under.

“A signal was now made, by the Captain, for boats to assist in separating her from her two prizes:  and, as the Captain was