Ornaments which rendered him so conspicuous a mark for the enemy were beheld with ominous apprehensions by his officers.

It was known that there were riflemen on board the French ships, and it could not be doubted but that his life would be particularly aimed at.

They communicated their fears to each other; and the surgeon, Mr.Beatty, spoke to the chaplain Dr.Scott, and to Mr.Scott the public secretary, desiring that some person would entreat him to change his dress, or cover the stars; but they knew that such a request would highly displease him.

"In honour I gained them," he had said when such a thing had been hinted to him formerly, "and in honour I will die with them." Mr.Beatty, however, would not have been deterred by any fear of exciting his displeasure from speaking to him himself upon a subject in which the weal of England, as well as the life of Nelson, was concerned; but he was ordered from the deck before he could find an opportunity.
This was a point upon which Nelson's officers knew that it was hopeless to remonstrate or reason with him; but both Blackwood, and his own captain, Hardy, represented to him how advantageous to the fleet it would be for him to keep out of action as long as possible; and he consented at last to let the LEVIATHAN and the TEMERAIRE, which were sailing abreast of the VICTORY, he ordered to pass ahead.

Yet even here the last infirmity of this noble mind was indulged, for these ships could not pass ahead if the VICTORY continued to carry all her sail; and so far was Nelson from shortening sail, that it was evident he took pleasure in pressing on, and rendering it impossible for them to obey his own orders.