e French flag waving over its
walls. A general disappointment was caused for a short time by a
signal from the look-out ships that the enemy's men-of-war did not
form a part of the vessels at anchor there; but this was soon
dispelled by a signal from the Zealous that the enemy's fleet occupied
the Bay of Aboukir in a line of battle, thirteen ships, four frigates,
and two brigs, in sight on the larboard bow. At half-past two P.M. the
British fleet hauled up, and steered directly for them with a fine
N.N.W. breeze, carrying top-gallant sails.[13]

[13] In allusion to this memorable event, Sir James
writes--"When on the morning of the 1st of August the
reconnoitring ship made the signal that the enemy was not there,
despondency nearly took possession of my mind, and I do not
recollect ever to have felt so utterly hopeless, or out of
spirits, as when we sat down to dinner; judge then what a change
took place when, as the cloth was being removed, the officer of
the watch hastily came in, saying--'Sir, a signal is just now
made that the enemy is in Aboukir Bay, and moored in a line of
battle.' All sprang from their seats, and only staying to drink
a _bumper_ to our success, we were in a moment on deck." On his
appearance there his brave men, animated by one spirit, gave
three hearty cheers, in token of their joy at having at length
found their long-looked-for enemy, without the possibility of
his again eluding their pursuit.

When the Admiral made the signal to prepare for battle, at half-past
three, the signal to haul the wind on the starboard tack, and for the
Colossus to cast off her prize, the Swiftsure and Alexander, which had
been recalled from looking out off Alexandria, were carrying all sail
to join. At five, the Admiral made the signal that it was his
intention to attack the van and centre of the enemy as they lay at
anchor, which was repeated by the Orion. At forty-five minutes past
five, he made the signal to form the line as most convenient. The
fleet then formed in the following order:--Goliath, Zealous, Vanguard,
Minotaur, Theseus, Bellerophon, Defence, Orion, Audacious, Majestic,
and Leander. The Culloden was then astern the Swiftsure, and the
Alexander to leeward, tacking to clear the reef. The Admiral hove to,
to pick up a boat, and also the four next ships astern of the
Vanguard, which gave the Orion an opportunity, by standing on and
passing them, to get up w