40 HOOD SCOLDS THE PASSENGER [[JET. 32

staying out; on the contrary, I should think it was his duty to make every exertion to join Lord Hood as soon as possible. Both the ships and the troops may be wanted. At any rate, there can be no use in our keeping the sea. Independent of these reasons I am naturally anxious to get in. It is impossible not to wish to know the nature and immediate cause of the evacuation of Toulon, the loss sustained, &c., and also the destination of the regiments, whether they are to return to Gibraltar or be employed in some expedition in this neighbourhood.

3 ist Dec., Tuesday Morning.—We are now standing for the land, and are within a few miles of the entrance of Toulon. In a couple of hours I take it for granted we shall be at anchor in Hicres Bay. All yesterday was lost, if the object was to get in. In the evening the Colossus bore down upon us, and a boat was sent to her which brought back a letter from Captain Poole. He had spoken the Romulus. Lord Hood had only seven sail with him. He thought, there fore, it was absolutely necessary to join him. He stood off in the evening as usual, but tacked at four this morning, and I hopo we are going to do what we ought to have done four days ago.

HIEEEH BAY, 1st January 1794.—It was almost dark before wo came to anchor here yesterday. I went on board the Victor// with Captain Dixon, and was introduced by him to Lord Hood. Ho received the state of the regiment which I prcflcntccl to him with my orders from Sir Robert Boyd, which were to put myself under his Lordship's command, expressed some surprise at the srnallness of our numbers, said we were rather late, and then turned to one of the navy officers with whom he had been transacting business. I then retired into the outer cabin to General Dundas.

The reader will, I hope, not miss the dramatic point of this first interview between Hood and Moore. We have seen how, from December 5th, Moore had been restless because of the delays, which he thought inexcus-