"Sir, Vanguard is signalling," Rawson reported to Kydd.

"Well?" growled Kydd, in mock exasperation at his signals midshipman.

"Er, sir—union at the mizzen topmast-head, distinguishing pennants, er, that's 'Captains repair on board Flag.' An' they are ... let me see ... Orion, Alexander, Emerald, others—and us!"

"So?"

"Er, yes, sir—acknowledge."

"My duty t' the captain, an' acquaint him of the signal, if y' please."

Houghton wasted no time: his barge disappeared quickly into a throng of small craft, but he was back just as rapidly and summoned all officers to his cabin. He motioned them to sit at the polished table, but remained standing and leaned forward, animated. "Gentlemen, I have to tell you that intelligence of the gravest kind has been received from overland concerning the French intentions." Every eye was on him. "It seems that they are at this moment massing in Toulon and are about to make a sally."

He spread out a small-scale chart of the Mediterranean. "This is far more serious than a simple adventure. It has the attention and presence of their highest general, Napoleon Buonaparte, and could mean either a mass break-out from the Mediterranean to join up with their forces in Brest, or some descent to the east in a move towards the Ottomans or India.

"They have had the Mediterranean as their private sea for too long—it has made them ambitious, and the danger this poses to our country is incalculable. Therefore I have to tell you that Sir John has determined that at last we shall re-enter the Mediterranean. There shall be an immediate reconnaissance in force towards Toulon to discover the French intentions. It will be led by Rear Admiral Nelson—and we shall be a part!"

In this major fleet off Cadiz, in addition to a full admiral as commander-in-chief, there was a vice admiral for the van of the line-of-battle and a rear admiral for the rear. Exceptionally, there was also a separate squadron whose task was to rove close inshore, harrying the enemy at every opportunity and this was the particular command of Rear Admiral Nelson.