ISIDRO struck; and Nelson thought that the SALVADOR struck also. "But
Collingwood," says he, "disdaining the parade of taking possession of
beaten enemies, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail set, to
save his old friend and messmate, who was to appearance in a critical
situation;" for the CAPTAIN was at this time actually fired upon by
three first-rates--by the SAN NICOLAS, and by a seventy-four, within
about pistol-shot of that vessel. The BLENHEIM was ahead, the CULLODEN
crippled and astern. Collingwood ranged up, and hauling up his mainsail
just astern, passed within ten feet of the SAN NICOLAS, giving her a
most tremendous fire, then passed on for the SANTISSIMA TRINIDAD. The
SAN NICOLAS luffing up, the SAN JOSEPH fell on board her, and Nelson
resumed his station abreast of them, and close alongside. The CAPTAIN
was now incapable of further service, either in the line or in chase:
she had lost her foretop-mast; not a sail, shroud, or rope was left, and
her wheel was shot away. Nelson therefore directed Captain Miller to
put the helm a-starboard, and calling for the boarders, ordered them to
board.

Captain Berry, who had lately been Nelson's first lieutenant, was the
first man who leaped into the enemy's mizen chains. Miller, when in the
very act of going, was ordered by Nelson to remain. Berry was supported
from the spritsail-yard, which locked in the SAN NICOLAS's main rigging.
A soldier of the 69th broke the upper quarter-gallery window, and jumped
in, followed by the commodore himself and by the others as fast as
possible. The cabin doors were fastened, and the Spanish officers fired
their pistols at them through the window; the doors were soon forced,
and the Spanish brigadier fell while retreating to the quarter-deck.
Nelson pushed on, and found Berry in possession of the poop, and the
Spanish ensign hauling down. He passed on to the forecastle, where
he met two or three Spanish officers, and received their swords. The