He realized that many of them would wish to return to the fleet at the Nore, but while the weather was good he did not fear serious trouble.

The danger would come in rough weather or on a becalmed sea.
They had passed Beachy Head in the mist.

They had seen no battle-ship, and had sighted no danger, as they made their way westward through the Channel.

There had been one moment of anxiety.

That was when they passed Portsmouth, and had seen in the far distance, to the right of them, the mastheads of Admiral Gardner's fleet.
It was here that Dyck's orderly, Michael Clones, was useful.