"I will have all the English shipping and property restored," said Nelson, "but I will do nothing violently, neither commit the affairs of my country, nor suffer Russia to mix the affairs of Denmark or Sweden with the detention of our ships." The wind was fair, and carried him in four days to Revel Roads.

But the Bay had been clear of firm ice on the 29th of April, while the English were lying idly at Kioge.

The Russians had cut through the ice in the mole six feet thick, and their whole squadron had sailed for Cronstadt on the 3rd.

Before that time it had lain at the mercy of the English.

"Nothing," Nelson said, "if it had been right to make the attack, could have saved one ship of them in two hours after our entering the bay." It so happened that there was no cause to regret the opportunity which had been lost, and Nelson immediately put the intentions of Russia to the proof.