The frigates made the signal, that they saw nine sail outside
the harbour. I gave the frigates instructions for their guidance; and
placed Defenced Colossus, and Mars, between me and the frigates. At
noon, fresh gales, and heavy rain. Cadiz north-east nine leagues. In the
afternoon, Captain Blackwood telegraphed, that the enemy seemed
determined to go to the westward--_and that they shall not do, if in the
power of Nelson and Bronte to prevent them_! At five, telegraphed
Captain Blackwood, that I relied on his keeping sight of the enemy. At
five o'clock, Naiad made the signal for thirty-one sail of the enemy
north north-east. The frigates and look-out ships kept sight of the
enemy most admirably, all night; and told me, by signals, which tack
they were upon. At eight, we wore, and stood to the south-west; and, at
four A.M. wore, and stood to the north-east."

To what an eventful period is the reader now conducted, by the hand of
our immortal hero himself, in the forcible and unaffected language of
his own manly and matchless heart; of that heart, which was, at this
aweful moment, glowing with all the heroism of patriotic ardour for his
king and country, and anxiously waiting the first dawn of light by which
he might be enabled to discover the enemy! It came; and, with it,
brought the welcome sight of those whom his whole soul burned to behold.
Few, and simple, are the words which immediately follow in his
lordship's memorandum.

"Monday, October 21, 1805. At day-light, saw the enemy's combined fleet,
from east to east south-east. Bore away; made the signal for order of
sailing, and to prepare for battle: the enemy with their heads to the
southward."

But now, at the very crisis when he is hastening into a battle for his
king and country, which he feels confident must end in a glorious
victory, though he might not himself survive it, with that potent
patriotism and never-ceasing loyalty to his king and country, and that
constantly tender regard for those who were nearest to his heart in the
bonds of private affection, he thus piously invokes Heaven's protection
for his king and country; and the protection of his king and country,
should he fall in their service, for those most dear to his heart who
would thus be deprived of his own. To add to the solemnity, though thus
introduced in his lordship's private journal, it has the form, and in
some respects the substance, of a codicil of his last will and
testament; and is