MAJOR SEMPLE LISLE. 323 



The manner of his watering and refitting the 

 fhips that for fo loag a time blocked up Cadiz, 

 deferves notice. The fleet was at firft totally 

 fupplied with water brought by tranfports from 

 Lilbbn ; this was a tedious and expenfive bufi- 

 nefs, but he found the way to diminifli it, by 

 fending the fhips of war to Gibraltar for a fup- 

 ply. One fhip only at a time ufed to leave the 

 fleet, and proceed for the garrifon, where (he 

 took in not her own complement of water alone, 

 but as much more as fhe could; the firft 

 fair wind was her fignal for failing, nor would 

 the Admiral admit any excufe for even a mo- 

 ment's delay. On her return, the inftant fhe 

 hove in fight of the fleet, the next in rotation 

 failed, and the fuperfiuous water was forthwith 

 diflributed among thofethat mofl wanted a fup- 

 ply. The fame ftricftnefs and regularity was 

 obferved refpedling fliips that wanted repairs, 

 nor was every trifling deficiency allowed to be 

 an excufe for coming into port ; when there, 

 no delay was admitted, the repairs were con- 

 duced with furprifing rapidity, and the fhips 

 quickly refumed their ftation. 



This unufual alertnefs was extremely harraf- 

 ing to the officers, yet they all admired their 

 indefatigable chieftain, who, like the Great 

 Frederick of Pruffia, had the Angular fortune 

 to be beloved in proportion to the feverity of 



Y 2 the 



