In the contest we have been relating, the coolness of the _Victory’s_ men was signally evinced. “When the guns on the lower deck were run out, their muzzles came in contact with the sides of the _Redoubtable_, and now was seen an astounding spectacle. Knowing that there was danger of the French ship taking fire, the fireman of each gun on board the British ship stood ready with a bucketful of water to dash into the hole made by the shot of his gun—thus beautifully illustrating Nelson’s prayer, ‘that the British might be distinguished by humanity in victory.’ Less considerate than her antagonist, the _Redoubtable_ threw hand-grenades from her tops, which, falling on board herself, set fire to her, ... and the flame communicated with the foresail of the _Téméraire_, and caught some ropes and canvas on the booms of the _Victory_, risking the destruction of all; but by immense exertions the fire was subdued in the British ships, whose crews lent their assistance to extinguish the flames on board the _Redoubtable_, by throwing buckets of water upon her chains and forecastle.”(8) Setting aside, for the purpose of clearness, the episode of the taking of the _Fougueux_, which got foul of the _Téméraire_ and speedily surrendered, we find, five minutes later, the main and mizen masts of the _Redoubtable_ falling—the former in such a way across the _Téméraire_ that it formed a bridge, over which the boarding-party passed and took quiet possession. Captain Lucas had so stoutly defended his flag, that, out of a crew of 643, only 123 were in a condition to continue the fight; 522 were lying killed or wounded. The _Bucentaure_ soon met her fate, after being defended with nearly equal bravery. The French admiral, Villeneuve, who was on board, said bitterly, just before surrendering, “_Le Bucentaure a rempli sa tâche; la mienne n’est pas encore achevée_.”