It was determined that a detachment from the army, then in perfect readiness, should be embarked under the Count de Viominil; and that the fleet should put to sea as soon as possible.

The wind was favourable to the French, and adverse to the British.

Yet the fleet did not sail until the evening of the eighth.

It appears from a letter of Monsieur Destouches, that this delay was in some measure attributable to a disaster which befel one of his frigates in getting out of port; and there is reason to suppose that it may be ascribed to a want of supplies.

Whatever may have been the cause, Arnold is most probably indebted to it for his escape from the fate which his treason merited.
Two days after Destouches had sailed, he was followed by Arbuthnot, who overtook him off the capes of Virginia.