In communicating his ideas to his subordinates Nelson did not confine himself to official intercourse; on the contrary, his natural disposition impelled him rather to familiar conversation with them on service subjects.  “Even for debating the most important naval business,” we learn through his confidential secretary at this period, “he preferred a turn on the quarter-deck with his captains, whom he led by his own frankness to express themselves freely, to all the stiffness and formality of a council of war."[63] An interesting instance of these occasional counsels has been transmitted to us by one of his captains, then little more than a youth, but the last to survive of those who commanded ships under him.  “Throughout the month of October, 1804, Toulon was frequently reconnoitred, and the Phoebe and Amazon were ordered to cruize together.  Previous to their going away Lord Nelson gave to Captains Capel and Parker several injunctions, in case they should get an opportunity of attacking two of the French frigates, which now got under weigh more frequently.  The principal one was, that they should not each single out and attack an opponent, but ’that both should endeavour together to take one frigate; if successful, chase the other:  but if you do not take the second, still you have won a victory, and your country will gain a frigate.’  Then, half laughing, and half snappishly, said kindly to them as he wished them good-bye, ’I daresay you consider yourselves a couple of fine fellows, and when you get away from me you will do nothing of the sort, but think yourselves wiser than I am!’"[64]

The game of cat and mouse, off Toulon, occasioned one incident which greatly upset Nelson’s composure, and led to a somewhat amusing display of ire, excited by a statement of the French admiral, published throughout Europe, that his renowned antagonist had run away from him.  On the 13th of June, two French frigates and a brig were seen under the Hyeres Islands, where they had been sent by Latouche Treville, upon the report that some enemy’s cruisers were in the neighborhood.  Nelson despatched two frigates after them, which, owing to light winds, did not get near until the next day.  The French vessels being then seen from the “Victory” to be close in with the batteries, the “Excellent,” 74, was sent to support the frigates, and some time afterwards the other four ships also bore up for the main entrance to the islands.  Upon this, Latouche Treville got under way, and at about 5 P.M. came out of the harbor with his eight sail-of-the-line.  Nelson’s division reduced their canvas, hauling to the wind in line of battle, on the starboard tack, which, with the then wind, was with their heads off shore, and the “Excellent” was recalled, although she could not rejoin till midnight.  In this order they hove-to (stopped), with two reefs in the topsails and the main yards square, at 7.30 P.M., which at that time of the year was broad daylight, and in this general position remained till next morning.