prevail from the
westward; therefore, with the six days' start the enemy was believed
now to have, no time could be lost. Six days sufficed to carry the
British squadron from its present position to Alexandria, which Nelson
was already inclined to think the destination of the French. Yet,
being dependent upon a wind then practically constant in direction, it
would not do to yield a mile of ground, except upon a mature, if
rapid, deliberation. Nelson's own mind was, by constant preoccupation,
familiar beforehand with the bearings of the different conditions of
any situation likely to occur, and with the probable inferences to be
drawn; his opinions were, so to say, in a constant state of formation
and development, ready for instantaneous application to any emergency
as it arose. But he had, besides, exercised the same habit in the
captains of the ships, by the practice of summoning them on board the
flagship, singly or in groups; the slow movement of sailing vessels,
particularly in the light summer weather of the Mediterranean,
permitting such intercourse without materially affecting the progress
of the fleet. Invitations or commands so to visit the flagship were
common. "I have passed the day on board the Vanguard," notes Saumarez
on one occasion, "having breakfasted and stayed to dinner with the
admiral." "It was his practice during the whole of his cruize," wrote
Berry, the flag-captain, "whenever the weather and circumstances would
permit, to have his captains on board the Vanguard, where he would
fully develop to them his own ideas of the different and best modes
of attack, in all possible positions." That such conversations were
not confined to tactical questions, but extended to what would now be
called the strategy of the situation, is evident from allusions by
Saumarez to the various surmises concerning the probable movements of
the enemy. Nelson never yielded a particle of his responsibility, nor
of his credit, but it is clear that such discussion would not only
broaden his own outlook, but prepare his subordinates to give readier
and sounder views upon any new conjuncture that might arise.

He now summoned on board four captains "in whom I place great
confidence," Saumarez, Troubridge,--the two seniors,--Ball, and Darby,
stated the case, and received their opinions. These seem to have been
given in writing,[60] and from his letter to St. Vincent the results
of the conference, as shown by his decision, may be