_Pluton_, the _Algésiras_, commanded by Rear-Admiral Magon, heroically resisted overwhelming attacks. The _Redoutable_, the _Santissima- Trinidad_, and the French flag-ship the _Bucentaure_, crowded in upon each other, waited for the assault of the second column, which Nelson brought against them. Like Collingwood, he had got in advance of his squadron. The officers had begged of him to leave the vanguard to the _Téméraire_. "I am quite willing," said Nelson, "that the _Téméraire_ should get in front if it can;" and spreading all sail on board the _Victory_, he advanced first against the enemy. Already his topmast had been struck, and fifty men placed _hors de combat_. The English admiral had given orders to separate the _Redoutable_ from the _Bucentaure_; but Captain Lucas, who commanded the former vessel, profited by a slight breath of wind, and his bowsprit touched the stern of the _Bucentaure_. Nelson then engaged the _Redoutable_, dashing against it with a shock so violent that both vessels were thrown out of the line; the _Bucentaure_ and the _Santissima-Trinidad_ were also surrounded by the English. The struggle continued between Nelson and his courageous adversary; the flames were breaking out every moment upon the French vessel. "Hardy, this is too hot to last long," said Nelson to his flag- captain. Presently a ball from the topmast of the Redoutable struck the illustrious sailor in the loins. He fell, still supporting himself by one hand. "Hardy, they have done for me now," said he. "No! not yet," cried the captain, who sought to raise him up. "Yes," replied Nelson, "the spine is hit;" and drawing his handkerchief from his pocket, he himself covered his face and his decorations, in order to hide his fall from his crew. "Take care!" said he, as they carried him down; "the cable of the helm is cut." Between decks was crowded with the wounded and the dying. "Attend to those whom you can save," said he to the surgeon; "as for me, there is nothing to be done." Meanwhile he listened anxiously, noticing the discharges of artillery, seeking to divine the issue of the combat. The _Redoutable_ had been attacked by the _Téméraire_ and the Neptune at the moment when the French sailors were preparing to board the _Victory_. Captain Lucas was compelled to haul down his flag; of the 660 men of his crew, 522 were _hors de combat_. The _Bucentaure_, caught by its bowsprit in the gallery of the _Santissima-Trinidad_, was overwhelmed by the enemy, and, held in its position by the Spanish vessel, completely dismasted. Already the flag-officer and two lieutenants had been wounded by the side of Admiral Villeneuve, who courted death in vain. The _Bucentaure_ was cut down close like a pontoon. The admiral wished to pass on to another vessel. Not a single boat was left him. When he at last pulled down his flag he could not reply with a single cannon-shot to the English vessels that were bent on his destruction.