east of all, could
divert him from it. For it he was willing not only to sacrifice
fortune, but to risk renown; and so, amid troubles manifold, he walked
steadfastly in the light of the single eye.

While Napoleon's object remained the same throughout, his methods
received various modifications, as all plans must do when
circumstances change. In his original intention the execution of the
main effort was intrusted to Latouche Treville, by far and away the
best admiral he had. Upon his death, the Toulon fleet was committed to
Villeneuve. Its sailing was to take place as nearly as possible at the
same time as that of the Rochefort division. They were to go to the
West Indies, proceed at once, independently, to offensive operations,
then to unite and return together to Rochefort. Napoleon's calculation
was that the British, impressed by this simultaneous departure, and
uncertain about the enemy's purpose, must send at once thirty
ships-of-the-line in pursuit, in order to secure all the different
quarters they would think endangered. This diversion, if realized,
would facilitate the operations of the Brest fleet, which was to land
an army corps in Ireland, and then to cover the crossing of the main
body at Boulogne into England; the precise character of its movements
depending necessarily upon conditions of wind at the moment of
execution.

The Rochefort ships sailed on the 11th of January. For a week before
and a week after that date the winds at Toulon hung between northeast
and southeast, favorable, therefore, for a voyage to the Straits of
Gibraltar; but Villeneuve argued, judiciously, that a fleet intent on
evasion only, and to avoid fighting, should move with great speed
until lost to sight--that is, should start with a very fresh breeze,
the direction of which was of secondary moment. This view of the
matter escaped Nelson's attention, and therefore contributed seriously
to mislead him in his reasoning as to the enemy's probable object.

On the 17th of January the wind at Toulon shifted to north-northwest,
with signs of an approaching gale, such as the Gulf of Lyons is noted
for. The next morning Villeneuve sent a division to drive away
Nelson's lookouts. This duty was imperfectly performed. It should have
been done by a frigate squadron strong enough to force them out of
sight of the main body, and having orders to rejoin the latter at a
distant rendezvous. As it was, the British frigates did not lose touch
of t