He had soon the felicity to find, that the captains under his authority, had no need of particular instructions to keep in constant readiness for battle; the ardour of their zeal anticipated his utmost wishes. The decks of all the ships were perfectly clear night and day, and every man was ready to take his post at a moment's notice. He perceived them, with unspeakable satisfaction, daily exercising their men at the great guns, as well as with small arms; and, in short, placing every thing in the best state of preparation for actual service. Knowing that the enemy had sailed with a north-west wind, he naturally concluded that their course was up the Mediterranean. He sent La Mutine to Civita Vecchia, and along the Roman coast, for intelligence; and, in the mean time, steered with the fleet to Corsica, which he reached on the 12th of June, without obtaining any intelligence. The next day, he continued his course between Corsica and Elba, and between Planosa and Elba; through the latter of which passages large ships, or fleets, had not been accustomed to pass. On making the Roman coast, they were rejoined by La Mutine; but Captain Hardy, with all his exertions, had been unable to acquire any information. Admiral Nelson now resolved to steer towards Naples, with the hope of proving more successful in his enquiries. It had been rumoured, that the plundering of Algiers was the object of the French armament; but this account he considered as much too vague to warrant implicit adoption. On the 16th, they saw Mount Vesuvius; and Captain Troubridge was detached, in La Mutine, with letters to Sir William Hamilton, making earnest enquiries respecting the French fleet, as well as of the powers and disposition of the court of Naples to accommodate the British squadron. In one of these letters, he says-- "If their fleet is not moored in as strong a port as Toulon, nothing shall hinder me from attacking them; and, with the blessing of Almighty God, I hope for a most glorious victory. I send Captain Troubridge to communicate with your excellency; and, as Captain Troubridge is in full possession of my confidence, I beg that whatever he says may be considered as coming from me. Captain Troubridge is my honoured acquaintance of twenty-five years, and the very best sea-officer in his majesty's service. I hope, pilots will be with us in a few hours; for I will not lose one moment after the brig's return, to wait for any thing." In the mean time, knowing the anxiety of his country, at this period, he wrote to Earl Spencer, informing him of his belief that, if the French fleet passed Sicily, towards which they had been seen steering, he should imagine they were going on their scheme of possessing Alexandria, and getting troops to India, on a plan concerted with Tippoo Saib.