It must have been about the same moment that the lookout frigate in advance of the English fleet informed her admiral of sails to leeward.

Hawke's diligence had brought him up with Conflans, who, in his official reports, says he had considered it impossible that the enemy could have in that neighborhood forces superior or even equal to his own.

Conflans now ordered his rear division to haul its wind in support of the ship chasing to the southward and eastward.

In a few moments more it was discovered that the fleet to windward numbered twenty-three ships-of-the-line to the French twenty-one, and among them some three-deckers.

Conflans then called in the chasing ships and got ready for action.