"We will fag ourselves to death," said he to Lord Hood, "before any blame shall lie at our doors.

I trust it will not be forgotten, that twenty-five pieces of heavy ordnance have been dragged to the different batteries, mounted, and, all but three, fought by seamen, except one artilleryman to point the guns." The climate proved more destructive than the service; for this was during the lion sun, as they call our season of the dog-days.

Of 2000 men, above half were sick, and the rest like so many phantoms.

Nelson described himself as the reed among the oaks, bowing before the storm when they were laid low by it.

"All the prevailing disorders have attacked me," said he, "but I have not strength enough for them to fasten on." The loss from the enemy was not great; but Nelson received a serious injury: a shot struck the ground near him, and drove the sand and small gravel into one of his eyes.