different harbours, even those that had just arrived
from America, were ordered to put to sea, and every step was taken to
disconcert the designs of the enemy.

ADMIRAL HAWKE DEFEATS M. DE CONFLANS.

While these measures were taken with equal vigour and deliberation, sir
Edward Hawke steered his course directly for Quiberon, on the coast
of Bretagne, which he supposed would be the rendezvous of the French
squadron: but, notwithstanding his utmost efforts, he was driven by
a hard gale considerably to the westward, where he was joined by two
frigates, the Maidstone and the Coventry. These he directed to keep
ahead of the squadron. The weather growing more moderate, the former
made the signal for seeing a fleet on the twentieth day of November,
at half an hour past eight o'clock in the morning, and in an hour
afterwards discovered them to be the enemy's squadron. They were at that
time in chase of captain Duff's squadron, which now joined the large
fleet, after having run some risk of being taken. Sir Edward Hawke, who,
when the Maidstone gave the first notice, had formed the line abreast,
now perceiving that the French admiral endeavoured to escape with all
the sail he could carry, threw out a signal for seven of his ships that
were nearest the enemy to chase, and endeavour to detain them, until
they could be reinforced by the rest of the squadron, which were ordered
to form into a line-of-battle ahead, as they chased, that no time might
be lost in the pursuit. Considering the roughness of the weather, which
was extremely tempestuous; the nature of the coast, which is in this
place rendered very hazardous by a great number of sand-banks, shoals,
rocks, and islands, as entirely unknown to the British sailors as they
were familiar to the French navigators; the dangers of a short day,
dark night, and lee-shore--it required extraordinary resolution in the
English admiral to attempt hostilities on this occasion: but sir Edward
Hawke, steeled with the integrity and fortitude of his own heart,
animated by a warm love for his country, and well acquainted with the
importance of the stake on which the safety of that country in a
great measure depended, was resolved to run extraordinary risks in his
endeavours to frustrate, at once, a boasted scheme projected for the
annoyance of his fellow-subjects. With respect to his ships of the line,
he had but the advantage of one in point of number, and no superiority
in men or metal;