y of the line,
two of which were of 90 guns, and on the 16th came in sight of the
enemy to leeward (westward) of Martinique, beating up against the
north-east trade-winds, and intending to pass through the channel
between that island and Dominica. "A general chase to the north-west
followed, and at five in the evening we plainly discovered that they
consisted of twenty-three sail of the line, and one 50 gun ship."[78]

As it fell dark Rodney formed his line of battle, standing still to
the north-west, therefore on the starboard tack; and he was attentive
to keep to windward of the enemy, whom his frigates watched diligently
during the night. "Their manoeuvres," he wrote, "indicated a wish to
avoid battle," and he therefore was careful to counteract them. At
daylight of April 17th, they were seen forming line of battle, on the
port tack, four or five leagues to leeward,--that is, to the westward.
The wind being east, or east by north, the French would be heading
south-south-east (Fig. 1, aa). The British order now was rectified by
signal from the irregularities of darkness, the ships being directed
to keep two cables'[79] lengths apart, and steering as before to
the northward and westward. At 7 A.M., considering this line too
extended, the Admiral closed the intervals to one cable (aa). The two
fleets thus were passing on nearly parallel lines, but in opposite
directions, which tended to bring the whole force of Rodney, whose
line was better and more compact than the enemy's, abreast the
latter's rear, upon which he intended to concentrate. At 8 A.M. he
made general signal that this was his purpose; and at 8.30, to execute
it, he signalled for the ships to form line abreast, bearing from each
other south by east and north by west, and stood down at once upon
the enemy (Fig. 1, bb). The object of the British being evident, de
Guichen made his fleet wear together to the starboard tack (bb).
The French rear thus became the van, and their former van, which was
stretched too far for prompt assistance to the threatened rear, now
headed to support it.

Rodney, baulked in his first spring, hauled at once to the wind on the
port tack (Fig. 1, _cc_), again contrary to the French, standing thus
once more along their line, for their new rear. The intervals were
opened out again to two cables. The fleets thus were passing once more
on parallel lines, each having reversed its order; but the British
still retained the advantage, on w