refore," he wrote to the Admiralty, "if I receive no
intelligence to do away my present belief, I shall proceed from Cape
St. Vincent, and take my position fifty leagues west from Scilly,
approaching that island slowly, that I may not miss any vessels sent
in search of the squadron with orders. My reason for this position is,
that it is equally easy to get to either the fleet off Brest, or to go
to Ireland, should the fleet be wanted at either station." The
suitableness of this position to any emergency arising about the
British Islands can be realized at a glance, bearing in mind that
westerly winds prevail there. A copy of the letter was sent to
Ireland, and another to the commander of the Channel fleet off Brest.
"I have the pleasure to say," he concludes, "that I shall bring with
me eleven as fine ships of war, as ably commanded, and in as perfect
order, and in health, as ever went to sea."

It will be interesting to support even Nelson's opinion of his own
squadron by that of an unbiassed and competent witness. Sir Edward
Codrington was associated with it, still nearly entire, some three
months later, after the return from the West Indies; the "Orion,"
which he commanded, being one of a detachment of eighteen
ships-of-the-line sent off from Brest by Admiral Cornwallis. "Lord
Nelson's squadron (of which we have now eight with us) seems to be in
very high order indeed; and although their ships do not look so
handsome as objects, they look so very warlike and show such high
condition, that when once I can think Orion fit to manoeuvre with
them, I shall probably paint her in the same manner." There was, it
would seem, a Nelson pattern for painting ships, as well as a "Nelson
touch" in Orders for Battle. "I have been employed this week past,"
wrote Captain Duff of the "Mars," "to paint the ship _a la Nelson_,
which most of the fleet are doing." This, according to the admiral's
biographers, was with two yellow streaks, but the portholes black,
which gave the sides an appearance of being chequered.

The frigate "Amazon," sent ahead with the letters, was ordered to go
on to Lisbon, get all the news she could, and rejoin at Cape St.
Vincent. She passed Gibraltar on the 29th, and, getting decisive
information just outside the Straits, held on there. It was not till
the 6th that Nelson reached Gibraltar, where he anchored for only four
hours. This gain of a week by a frigate, in traversing ground for
which the fleet took se