Of these days of preoccupation, while in hourly expectation of the issue, overcharged with official anxieties, and facing, however fearlessly, a growing impression that he himself would not survive the conflict for which he longed, an anecdote has been transmitted that shows again how to the end, and whatever his personal cares, his quick sympathy went out to men of all classes.  Word had been passed through the fleet that a mail was about to start for England, which would not improbably be the last opportunity of writing home before the enemy came forth.  The letters had been collected as usual, the bags were all on board the departing vessel, and she herself, under full sail, had got already some distance away, when Nelson saw a midshipman come up and speak to Lieutenant Pasco, the signal officer, who, upon hearing what was said, stamped his foot in evident vexation, and uttered an exclamation.  The admiral, of whose nearness Pasco was not aware, called him, and asked what was the matter.  “Nothing that need trouble your Lordship,” was the reply.  “You are not the man to lose your temper for nothing,” rejoined Nelson.  “What was it?” “Well, if you must know, my Lord, I will tell you.  You see that cockswain,” pointing to one of the most active of the petty officers; “we have not a better man on board the Victory and the message which put me out was this.  I was told that he was so busy receiving and getting off the mail-bags, that he forgot to drop his own letter to his wife into one of them, and he has just discovered it in his pocket.”  “Hoist a signal to bring her back,” was Nelson’s instant command; “who knows that he may not fall in action to-morrow.  His letter shall go with the rest,”—­and the despatch vessel was brought back for that alone.[130] In telling the story, Pasco used to say it was no wonder that the common sailors idolized Nelson, since he was always thinking about them, and won their hearts by showing his own.

In addition to the combined fleets in Cadiz, which numbered thirty-six of the line, besides frigates, the enemy had a half-dozen of the line in Cartagena, which showed signs of moving, and whose junction must be prevented, if possible.  Partly for this reason, partly because it was necessary to renew the water of the ships, Nelson sent a detachment of six of the line to Gibraltar and Tetuan, immediately after he took charge.  To the junior admiral who commanded it, and who lamented that they might lose their share in the expected battle, he replied:  “I have no other means of keeping my fleet complete in provisions and water.  The enemy will come out, and we shall fight them; but there will be time for you to get back first.”  They did not, however, return as thus expected, a misadventure which was chiefly due to their having to guard a convoy past Cartagena,—­a potent illustration of the influence exerted by a powerful squadron, judiciously placed on the flank of an important trade route, or line of communication; but even had they rejoined,