And further on I see some land that I never shall get my rent for; and beyond that nothing but the sea, with a few fishing-craft inshore, and in the offing a sail, an outward-bound East Indiaman--some fool who wouldn't wait for convoy, with war as good as proclaimed again." "Nothing but the sea, indeed?
The sweep of the land, and the shelter of the bay, the shoaling of the shore without a rock to break it, the headland that shuts out both wind and waves; and outside the headland, off Pebbleridge, deep water for a fleet of line-of-battle ships to anchor and command the land approaches--moreover, a stream of the purest water from deep and never-failing springs--Darling, the place of all places in England for the French to land is opposite to your front door." "I am truly obliged to you for predicting, and to them for doing it, if ever they attempt such impudence.

If they find out that you are away, they can also find out that I am here, as commander of the sea defences, from Dungeness to Selsey-Bill." "That will make it all the more delightful to land at your front door, my friend; and all the easier to do it.

My own plan is to strike with all force at the head-quarters of the enemy, because the most likely to be unprepared.

About a year ago, when I was down here, a little before my dear father's death, without your commission I took command of your fishing-craft coming home for their Sunday, and showed them how to take the beach, partly to confirm my own suspicions.

There is no other landing on all the south coast, this side of Hayling Island, fit to be compared with it for the use of flat-bottomed craft, such as most of Boney's are.