It was necessary for him to submit, and to proceed with his twenty men of war to the Mediterranean, while his superiors, with the rest of the armament, returned to the Channel.
It was by this time known in England that Tourville had stolen out of Brest, and was hastening to join Estrees.

The return of Killegrew and Delaval therefore excited great alarm.

A swift sailing vessel was instantly despatched to warn Rooke of his danger; but the warning never reached him.

He ran before a fair wind to Cape Saint Vincent; and there he learned that some French ships were lying in the neighbouring Bay of Lagos.

The first information which he received led him to believe that they were few in number; and so dexterously did they conceal their strength that, till they were within half an hour's sail, he had no suspicion that he was opposed to the whole maritime strength of a great kingdom.