fresh from the southwest, and the English began
to fear that the foe might be forced to return to port. A little before
sunset, however, Blackwood, in the _Euryalus_, telegraphed that they
appeared determined to go to the westward,--"And that," said the admiral
in his diary, "they shall not do, if it is in the power of Nelson and
Bronte to prevent them."

Nelson had signified to Blackwood, that he depended upon him to keep
sight of the enemy. They were observed so well, that all their motions
were made known to him; and, as they wore twice, he inferred that they
were aiming to keep the port of Cadiz open, and would retreat there as
soon as they saw the British fleet: for this reason he was very careful
not to approach near enough to be seen by them during the night.

At daybreak the combined fleets were distinctly seen from the
_Victory's_ deck, formed in a close line of battle ahead, on the
starboard tack, about twelve miles to leeward, and standing to the
south. Our fleet consisted of twenty-seven sail of the line and four
frigates; theirs of thirty-three, and seven large frigates. Their
superiority was greater in size, and weight of metal, than in numbers.
They had four thousand troops on board; and the best riflemen who could
be procured, many of them Tyrolese, were dispersed through the ships.
Little did the Tyrolese, and little did the Spaniards, at that day,
imagine what horrors the wicked tyrant whom they served was preparing
for their country!

Soon after daylight Nelson came upon deck. The 21st of October was a
festival in his family; because on that day his uncle, Captain Suckling,
in the _Dreadnought_, with two other line of battle ships, had beaten
off a French squadron of four sail of the line and three frigates.
Nelson, with that sort of superstition from which few persons are
entirely exempt, had more than once expressed his persuasion that this
was to be the day of his battle also; and he was well pleased at seeing
his prediction about to be verified.

The wind was now from the west,--light breezes, with a long heavy swell.
Signal was made to bear down upon the enemy in two lines; and the fleet
set all sail. Collingwood, in the _Royal Sovereign_, led the lee-line of
thirteen ships; the _Victory_ led the weather-line of fourteen.

Having seen that all was as it should be, Nelson retired to his cabin,
and wrote this prayer:--

"May the Great God, whom I worship, grant to my country, and for