On the 9th, light breezes springing up, the fleet run eighty-eight miles; in the succeeding twenty-four hours, a hundred; and, the day after, a hundred and nineteen.  The wind, however, now coming foul, his lordship expressed himself dreadfully apprehensive that the enemy would have too greatly the start of him.  The Amazon, on the 13th, was detached to Gibraltar; and, the fleet having got into the Portuguese trade-winds, they run, next day, a hundred and forty-six miles.

On Wednesday, the 17th of July, at ten o’clock in the forenoon, they saw Cape St. Vincent, distant about nine leagues.  By a friendly vessel from Rochfort, his lordship learned that the French squadron, of five sail of the line and four frigates, which had sailed from thence the 18th of January, returned from the West Indies on the 21st of May:  having left Martinico about the middle of April; after taking several ships, and levying contributions at Dominica, St. Kitt’s, Nevis, and Montserrat.  The last twenty-four hours, the fleet went a hundred and twenty miles; making the whole run, from Barbuda, three thousand four hundred and fifty-nine miles.  The run from Cape St. Vincent to Barbadoes, was three thousand two hundred and twenty-seven; making the run back only two hundred and thirty-two miles more than the run out:  allowance to be made, however, for the difference of latitude and longitude between Barbadoes and Bermuda.  The average of way daily made, on this almost unparalleled pursuit, was thirty-four leagues; wanting nine miles, only, in the whole.

At noon, the 18th, steering for the Straits Mouth, Admiral Collingwood passed to the northward, with three sail of the line and two or three frigates.  Cape Spartel was then in sight; but no French fleet, or any information about them.  “How sorrowful this makes me!” writes his lordship; “but, I cannot help myself.”  Next morning, at day-light, the fleet bore up for Gibraltar Bay; where, at eight o’clock, they securely anchored, but could gain no information of the enemy.

On Saturday, July the 20th, 1805, while the fleet were employed in compleating provisions and stores—­“I went on shore,” writes his lordship, “for the first time, since June 16, 1803; and, from having my foot out of the Victory, two years wanting ten days.”

Having sent dispatches to England, and finished getting ready for sea, next day, Lord Nelson, on the following morning, ordered the Amphion to Sir Richard Bickerton, off Carthagena, and proceeded with the fleet to Tetuan; or, rather, to Mazin Bay, about eight miles to the south-east of Tetuan customhouse, where the river is very fine, and the situation peculiarly convenient for watering.  Many of the ships got two hundred tons on board in a single day.  Several bullocks were here purchased, and a considerable quantity of onions.  At noon, on the 24th, having gained no intelligence, the fleet again weighed, and stood for Ceuta; but variable winds, and a thick fog, kept them