concerned by any delay,—­for the leading Spaniard, by himself far superior in force, was nearly within gunshot.  Temperament and habit decide, in questions where reason has little time and less certainty upon which to act; by nature and experience Nelson was inclined to take risks.  It was evident the boat could not overtake the frigate unless the latter’s way was lessened, and each moment that passed made this step more perilous, as the pursuer was already overhauling the “Minerve.”  “By God, I’ll not lose Hardy!” he exclaimed; “back the mizzen-topsail.”  The ship’s speed being thus checked, the boat came alongside, and the party scrambled on board.  Singularly enough, the enemy, disconcerted by Nelson’s action, stopped also, to allow his consort to come up,—­a measure wholly inexcusable, and only to be accounted for by that singular moral effect produced in many men by a sudden and unexpected occurrence.  The daring deed had therefore the happiest results of a stratagem, and the frigate was troubled no further.

Steering that night to the southward, to throw off her pursuers, the “Minerve” found herself unexpectedly in the midst of a fleet, which, from the signals made, was evidently not that of Jervis, and therefore must be hostile.  The hazy atmosphere veiled the British frigate from close observation, and, by conforming her movements to those of the strangers, she escaped suspicion.  Nelson was uncertain whether it was the Spanish grand fleet, or, possibly, a detached body proceeding to the West Indies.  He had heard a rumor of such an expedition, and the impression was probably confirmed by these ships being met when steering southerly from the Straits; Cadiz, the known destination of the grand fleet, being north.  As the British commercial interests in the Caribbean were of the first importance, and would be much endangered, he told Drinkwater, who lay awake in his cot, that, if he became convinced the ships in sight were bound there, he should give up the attempt to join the commander-in-chief, and should start at once for the Islands, to forewarn them of the approaching danger.  The colonel was naturally startled at the prospect of an involuntary trip across the Atlantic, and represented the equally urgent necessity—­as he thought—­of Jervis and the British Cabinet getting the information, which Elliot was bringing, of the views and intentions of the Italian governments.  This Nelson admitted, but replied that he thought the other consideration greater, and that—­the condition arising—­he must do as he had said.  The incident illustrates the activity of his mind, in comprehending instantly the singular opportunity thrust unexpectedly upon him, as well as the readiness to accept responsibility and to follow his own judgment, which he showed on so many other occasions, both before and after this.