I shall try and fight one party or the other, before they form a junction." "Much may be done before British reinforcements arrive," he reminded St.Vincent.

"Your Lordship knows what Admiral Bruix might have done, had he done his duty, and they may buy their experience." Now he says to Ball, "The Admiralty tells me nothing, they know nothing; but my private letters say, that the Brest squadron, as well as Ferrol,[62] is bound here--if so, we shall have work enough upon our hands." Thirty thousand troops, also, were ready to embark in Marseilles and Nice.

The conclusion, in view of so great a force assembling, was natural: "Egypt, I have no doubt is the favourite and ultimate object of the Corsican tyrant." Nelson's spirit rises with the occasion.

"I shall try to intercept them, but I cannot go so far to the westward as is necessary; for I will not lose sight of the Toulon fleet.

What a most zealous man can do to meet all points of difficulty, shall be done.