He suspected also, with reason, that the continuance of his fleet was so earnestly requested, because the royal family thought their persons would be safer, in case of any mishap, under the British flag, than under their own.
His first object was the recovery of Malta--an island which the King of Naples pretended to claim.

The Maltese, whom the villanous knights of their order had betrayed to France, had taken up arms against their rapacious invaders, with a spirit and unanimity worthy of the highest praise.

They blockaded the French garrison by land, and a small squadron, under Captain Ball, began to blockade them by sea, on the 12th of October.

Twelve days afterwards Nelson arrived.

"It is as I suspected," he says: "the ministers at Naples know nothing of the situation of the island.