2 P.M.
The answers were satisfactory in general , though one or two of the vessels made such replies as induced the commander-in-chief to resort to a still more direct mode of ascertaining the real condition of his fleet . In order to effect this important object , Sir Gervaise waited two hours longer , for the double purpose of letting all the messes get through with their dinners , and to permit the wind to abate and the sea to fall , as both were now fast doing . At the expiration of that time , however , he appeared on the poop , summoning Bunting to his customary duty . At 2 P.M. it blew a whole top-sail breeze , as it is called ; but the sea being still high , and the ships close-hauled , the vice-admiral did not see fit to order any more sail . Perhaps he was also influenced by a desire not to increase his distance from the enemy , it being a part of his plan to keep M. de Vervillin in plain sight so long as the day continued , in order that he might have a tolerable idea of the position of his fleet , during the hours of darkness . His present intention was to cause his vessels to pass before him in review , as a general orders his battalions to march past a station occupied by himself and staff , with a view to judge by his own eye of their steadiness and appearance . Vice-Admiral Oakes was the only officer in the British navy who ever resorted to this practice ; but he did many things of which other men never dreamed , and , among the rest , he did not hesitate to attack double his force , when an occasion offered , as has just been seen .