me to his relief; but, daring as was the earl when he considered
success to be possible, he would not venture his little force upon
an enterprise which was, he felt, hopeless, and he knew that the only
possible relief for the city was the arrival of the English fleet.

Early in March Admiral Sir John Leake and Baron Wassenaer had sailed
from Lisbon with the combined fleet in accordance with Peterborough's
orders; but the wind was contrary, and it was fully six weeks after
starting that they reached the Straits, where they were joined by
Captain Price with a small squadron, on board of which were two English
regiments. It was not until the 24th of April that they sailed from
Gibraltar.

On reaching Altea they received news that another squadron had sailed
from Lisbon to join them, and in spite of the warm remonstrances of
General Stanhope, who commanded the troops on board, the Dutch and
English admirals determined to await the arrival of the reinforcements
before sailing to give battle to the fleet of the Count of Toulouse
before Barcelona.

On the 3d of April Sir George Byng arrived at Altea with some ships
from Ireland, and the next day Commodore Walker, with the squadron from
Lisbon, also arrived; but the wind was now contrary, and although the
fleet set sail, for three days they made no progress whatever, and each
hour so wasted rendered the position of the besieged at Barcelona more
and more desperate. While lying at Altea General Stanhope had sent a
message to Lord Peterborough telling him that he would use every means
in his power to hasten Sir John Leake's movements, and that he would
give him timely notice of the approach of the fleet.

He said that as it was of the utmost importance that the enemy should
remain in ignorance of the approaching succors, his messenger should
carry only a half sheet of blank paper, so that if he were taken by the
enemy they would learn nothing from his dispatch. When the fleet
sailed he sent off a second messenger, who got safely to the earl, and
delivered his blank dispatch. With the exception of his aide de camp,
who was always in his confidence, he told no one the meaning of this
blank dispatch, and his officers were surprised when orders were issued
for the little army at once to prepare for a night march. Officers
and men had, however, most implicit confidence in their general, and,
doubting not that some daring enterprise was at hand, they started in
high spirits.

All