Captain Hardy, Nelson’s flag-Captain, therefore, went, in his boat, on board the Téméraire, and gave Captain Harvey the Commander-in-chief’s orders. But then the utmost endeavor of the Téméraire to pass ahead of the Victory was frustrated by the latter’s carrying all the sail she could set. No one ventured to suggest shortening sail to Nelson, when going into battle; and he was just then finding fault with the officer of the Victory’s forecastle, for not setting the lee studding-sail in a smarter manner. Subsequently, when it became necessary to keep in line, for mutual support, the Victory signalled the Téméraire to resume her station astern of the flag-ship. Thus the Victory led the Téméraire into the enemy’s line, after all. The manner in which the combined fleet now lay, with a home port only twenty-five miles off, on their lee bow, induced Nelson, about eleven in the morning, to telegraph, “I intend to pass through the end of the enemy’s line, to prevent them from getting into Cadiz.” The reversed order of that line had, with the wind prevailing, produced an effect to be guarded against. It had brought the shoals of San Pedro and Trafalgar under the lee of both fleets. Accordingly, at half-past eleven, the Victory made signal to the British fleet to prepare to anchor at the close of the day. At that time the cables were of hemp, and required a long time to range, and prepare for letting go. They were, in such ships, of immense size. We shall see how Nelson’s sailor instinct taught him what was to save his fleet after the battle, although he was not to see it. This signal having been made, no other seemed necessary, and all they had to do was to wait for the battle to open. But, a little before noon, Nelson telegraphed again. This time it was his celebrated message, “England expects that every man will do his duty.” He had dictated “confides,” but the word not being in the signal book, the signal lieutenant suggested “expects,” and Nelson adopted it. This signal was greeted with three cheers from all the ships, as they were slowly bearing down upon their enemy, and aroused the utmost enthusiasm. They by degrees got so close that, at noon, the French ship Fougueux opened fire upon the Royal Sovereign (Collingwood’s flag-ship), then upon her port bow and well within shot. Immediately upon the first gun-shot, the three British Admirals hoisted their respective flags, and the rest of the ships the white, or St. George’s ensign, a measure adopted to prevent any confusion, in the heat of action, from a variety of national flags. Each British ship also carried a union-jack at her main-top-mast stay, and another at her fore-top-gallant stay. The combined fleet hoisted their ensigns then, and their Admirals their flags. Soon after the Fougueux and the ships next ahead and astern of her had opened fire the Royal Sovereign returned it, but Nelson made signal to engage more closely, and Collingwood ceased firing.