in Brenton will be read with much
interest: "Sir James now expressed the greatest anxiety to have as
many of his little squadron as possible ready for action, that he
might avail himself at any moment of the motions of the enemy to make
an attack upon some part of them; and despairing, from the state of
the Caesar, that she could possibly be got in readiness before the
departure of the ships from Algeziras, he expressed a wish that the
deficiencies in the other ships might be made up from the crew of the
Caesar; but on my entreaty for permission to keep them while a
possibility remained of getting her in a state to receive his flag
again, he consented, hoisting it for the time on board the Audacious.

"On communicating to the people what had passed, there was a universal
cry, 'All hands all night and all day until the ship is ready!' so
earnest were they to carry the flag of their beloved Admiral again
into battle, and so sanguine in the expectation of victory,
notwithstanding the disparity of force,--nearly _two to one_! This I
could not consent to, as they would have been worn out and incapable
of further exertion; but I directed that all hands should be employed
during the day, and that they should work _watch and watch_ during the
night. They immediately commenced their various duties, with all the
energy and zeal that could be expected from men under such powerful
causes of excitement. The new main-mast was got in forthwith, and
extraordinary efforts made to refit the rigging.

"On Saturday, the 11th, the enemy showed symptoms of moving; and the
Admiral, fearing they might get out in the night, again suggested that
the people from the Caesar should be distributed, and every idea of
getting her ready abandoned; but I entreated, and obtained permission
to keep them during that night, under the promise that they should be
held in readiness at a minute's warning to proceed to the ship pointed
out to receive them.

"The enemy having anchored again, the Admiral went to dine with the
governor; and, on his return on board, was greatly delighted at
beholding the ship apparently ready for sea, although much yet
remained to be done."

We must here pay a just tribute to the professional abilities and
conduct of Captain (now Sir Jahleel) Brenton. He was, in the first
place, well aware of the magnitude of the labour which the men had to
perform, and saw the danger of allowing his brave crew to be worn out
with fatigue in at