ey at once made for her, and found she was the Leopard,
commanded by Captain Price. The astonishment of that officer, and of all
on board, was unbounded at being boarded at break of day almost out of
sight of land from an open boat by the admiral of all the fleets. The
earl's stay on board was but a short one. As soon as he had learned the
whereabout of the rest of the fleet, and given instructions to Captain
Price, he again embarked in the felucca, and sailed for Sitjes.

The joy of the troops was great at the return of their general, for the
night had been so stormy that there were great fears for his safety; but
he was not to remain with them long, for, having given orders that the
whole disposable force, about fourteen hundred men, should embark in the
boats before daybreak next morning, and follow the fleet to Barcelona,
he again with his aides de camp took his place in the felucca and sailed
for the fleet.

In the middle of the night he came across them, and boarding the Prince
George, hoisted his flag as admiral of the fleet on the maintop, and
took the command. He then sent a boat to Sir John Leake to acquaint
him with his orders and intentions, and another boat to advise General
Stanhope of his arrival; but the darkness delayed the delivery of these
messages till nearly morning, and when day appeared the whole fleet was
amazed at seeing the flag of the admiral in chief flying on the Prince
George. The wind was strong and favorable, and the fleet crowded on
all sail; but when within about eighteen miles of Barcelona one of
the French lookout ships sighted them, and made a signal to a consort
further along. She in turn passed on the news until it reached the
Count of Toulouse, who, without waiting to ascertain the strength of
the approaching squadron, at once signaled to his fleet to weigh anchor,
and, putting to sea, sailed for France.

The disappointment of the earl was great, as he had fully calculated
upon gaining a great naval battle in sight of the city he had come to
relieve. On the afternoon of the 8th of May the leading vessels anchored
off Barcelona, and preparations were at once made for the landing of the
troops. The first to set foot on shore were the earl's veteran troops,
who had according to his orders accompanied the fleet from Sitjes. The
succor was welcome, indeed; the breaches were no longer defensible, and
an assault was hourly expected. The king himself came down to receive
the earl and hi