In the mean time, the weather division, as has been said, were intending to round the rear of our line, and so join their ships to leeward, but Nelson, in the _Captain_, the third ship of the line from the rear, saw their object the instant their van bore up together astern, and immediately wearing round, plunged fearlessly into their midst. He was followed by the _Culloden_ and _Excellent_, and the Spanish Admiral, daunted by this spirited conduct, hauled to the wind, and gave up the attempt. The annexed plan may help to the comprehension of the position of affairs at this period of the action. [Illustration: BATTLE OF CAPE ST. VINCENT ABOUT 1.45, P.M.] The other British ships in the meantime were tacking in succession, and one after another came into action to the support of their comrades. The "VICTORY" engaged the _Salvador del Mundo_, a 112 gun ship, which had already been mauled by the _Excellent_, and forced her to strike her colours. This was at 3, p.m., and shortly afterwards, Sir John, who was discreet as he was bold, observing that about 24 Spaniards (composed of the 8 lee ships, and odd ships of the weather division, who were all fresh) were bearing down on them, made the signal to close up to cover the prizes; this was immediately done, and the Spaniards, not liking the look of the compact line of the British, hauled off, and made no effort to continue the action. In this battle, Nelson particularly distinguished himself, as in his little 74, the _Captain_, he boarded in succession, and took, the _San Nicholas_, of 80, and _San Josef_, of 112 guns; the "VICTORY" passing just at that time, gave the gallant _Captain_ three cheers. Nelson went on board the "VICTORY" after the action, and was warmly embraced by Sir John Jervis, on the very quarter-deck on which he was to fall, covered with glory, eight years later, and not far from the place where this battle had been fought. But for all these details we must refer the reader to _James's_, _Drinkwater's_, and other accounts. The "VICTORY," strange to say, had but 1 man killed, and 8 wounded; the total loss in the English fleet being about 350 killed and wounded. The fruits of the victory were the _San Josef_, _Salvador del Mundo_, 112, _San Nicholas_, 80, and _San Isidro_, 74; a result, that considering these prizes were wrested from 27 ships by 15, cannot but be considered as most glorious. The enemy, next day, had it in their power to renew the action with 21 ships. Who can say what the result might have been, for some of our vessels were so disabled as to render it necessary to tow them; but though the Spaniards once made a feint, as if they would attack, they finally disappeared, allowing our fleet and prizes to arrive safely at Lagos Bay, in Portugal, where they anchored on the 16th.