against the danger of being caught
with a westerly wind near Cadiz, and driven within the Straits. The
blockade of the port was rigorously enforced; in hopes that the combined
fleet might be forced to sea by want.

There was now every indication that the enemy would speedily venture
out: officers and men were in the highest spirits at the prospect of
giving them a decisive blow, such, indeed, as would put an end to all
further contest upon the seas. Theatrical amusements were performed
every evening in most of the ships, and _God Save the King_ was the hymn
with which the sports concluded.

"I verily believe," said Nelson (writing on the 6th of October), "that
the country will soon be put to some expense on my account; either a
monument, or a new pension and honours; for I have not the smallest
doubt but that a very few days, almost hours, will put us in battle. The
success no man can ensure; but for the fighting them, if they can be got
at, I pledge myself.--The sooner the better; I don't like to have these
things upon my mind."

At this time he was not without some cause of anxiety: he was in want of
frigates--the eyes of the fleet--as he always called them--to the want
of which, the enemy before were indebted for their escape, and Bonaparte
for his arrival in Egypt. He had only twenty-three ships--others were on
the way--but they might come too late; and, though Nelson never doubted
of victory, mere victory was not what he looked to--he wanted to
annihilate the enemy's fleet. The Carthagena squadron might effect a
junction with this fleet on the one side; and, on the other, it was to
be expected that a similar attempt would be made by the French from
Brest;--in either case, a formidable contingency to be apprehended by
the blockading force. The Rochefort squadron did push out, and had
nearly caught the _Agamemnon_ and _l'Aimable_, in their way to reinforce
the British admiral. Yet Nelson at this time weakened his own fleet. He
had the unpleasant task to perform of sending home Sir Robert Calder,
whose conduct was to be made the subject of a court-martial, in
consequence of the general dissatisfaction which had been felt and
expressed at his imperfect victory.

On the 9th Nelson sent Collingwood what he called, in his dairy, the
Nelson-touch. "I send you," said he, "my plan of attack, as far as a man
dare venture to guess at the very uncertain position the enemy may be
found in: but it is to place you perfectly at