two p.m.
We had some time to wait , however . Lord Nelson had already given the French and Spaniards such a taste of his way of going to work , that they were in no hurry to try it again . You 'll understand that there was a line of frigates , extending , like signal-posts , all the way from the fleet to the frigate cruising just off the mouth of the harbour -- that is to say , near enough to watch what was going on there . `` Early in the morning on the 19th of October , the ` Mars , ' the ship nearest the chain of frigates , repeated the signal that the enemy were leaving port , and , at two p.m. , that they were steering S.E. On this Lord Nelson gave orders for the fleet to chase in that direction , but to keep out of sight of the enemy , fearful of frightening them back into port . Still , you 'll understand , the frigates kept in sight of them , and gave notice to the admiral of all their movements . The enemy had thirty-three sail of the line , and seven frigates , with above 4000 riflemen on board . Our fleet numbered only twenty-seven sail of the line , and four frigates .