the afternoon, about three o'clock
While this work had been going on , the _ Phaeton _ frigate , which had been sent by the admiral in the morning to a distance of some miles , was seen approaching , making the signal of a strange sail west-north-west , soon afterwards for four sail , and finally she let fly her topgallant-sheets , and fired two guns in quick succession , which we all well knew was the signal for fleet , probably that of Lord Bridport . This cheered up our hearts , as may be supposed , for we fancied that the tables would soon be turned , and that instead of being chased , we should be chasing the Frenchmen , with the prospect of a stand-up fight , ending in the capture of a part , if not the whole of their fleet . No one thought at the time that the _ Phaeton _ was carrying out a _ ruse de guerre _ , which had shortly before been arranged by Admiral Cornwallis . In the afternoon , about three o'clock , we saw the _ Phaeton _ making private signals to the supposed fleet ; and then using the tabular signals with which the French were well acquainted , she communicated to our admiral the fact that the fleet seen were friends . About an hour and a half afterwards , she signalled that they were ships of the line . She then hoisted the Dutch ensign , as if replying to a signal made by the admiral in the distance to Admiral Cornwallis , ordering him to join company . Shortly afterwards she shortened sail , then wore , and stood back towards us .