ce, was repulsed with some loss. Lord Hood, who had now been
compelled to evacuate Toulon, suspected Paoli of intentionally deceiving
him. This was an injurious suspicion. Shortly afterwards he dispatched
Lieutenant-Colonel (afterward Sir John) Moore and Major Koehler
to confer with him upon a plan of operations. Sir Gilbert Elliot
accompanied them; and it was agreed that, in consideration of the
succours, both military and naval, which his Britannic Majesty should
afford for the purpose of expelling the French, the island of Corsica
should be delivered into the immediate possession of his Majesty,
and bind itself to acquiesce in any settlement he might approve of
concerning its government, and its future relation with Great Britain.
While this negotiation was going on, Nelson cruised off the island with
a small squadron, to prevent the enemy from throwing in supplies. Close
to St. Fiorenzo the French had a storehouse of flour near their only
mill: he watched an opportunity, and landed 120 men, who threw the flour
into the sea, burnt the mill, and re-embarked before 1000 men, who were
sent against him, could occasion them the loss of a single man. While he
exerted himself thus, keeping out all supplies, intercepting despatches,
attacking their outposts and forts, and cutting out vessels from the
bay,--a species of warfare which depresses the spirit of an enemy
even more than it injures them, because of the sense of individual
superiority which it indicates in the assailants--troops were landed,
and St. Fiorenzo was besieged. The French finding themselves unable
to maintain their post sunk one of their frigates, burnt another,
and retreated to Bastia. Lord Hood submitted to General Dundas, who
commanded the land forces, a plan for the reduction of this place:
the general declined co-operating, thinking the attempt impracticable
without a reinforcement of 2000 men, which he expected from Gibraltar.
Upon this Lord Hood determined to reduce it with the naval force under
his command; and leaving part of his fleet off Toulon, he came with the
rest to Bastia.

He showed a proper sense of respect for Nelson's services, and of
confidence in his talents, by taking care not to bring with him any
older captain. A few days before their arrival, Nelson had had what he
called a brush with the enemy. "If I had had with me 500 troops," he
said, "to a certainty I should have stormed the town; and I believe it
might have been carried. Arm