Nevertheless, any one can reason on the probabilities.

The Duke of Cumberland will collect his German auxiliaries, and they must get into England the best way that they can.
Would an intelligent enemy with a well-appointed fleet suffer this junction, if he could prevent it?
We know he would not; and when we remember the precise time of the sailing of the Comte, his probable ignorance of the presence of this squadron of yours, in the channel, and all the other circumstances of the case, who can suppose otherwise than to believe his aim is to intercept the German regiments." "This does seem plausible; and yet the Active's signals told us that the French were steering west; and that, too, with a light westerly wind." "Do not fleets, like armies, frequently make false demonstrations?
Might not Monsieur de Vervillin, so long as his vessels were in sight from the shore, have turned toward the west, with an intention, as soon as covered by the darkness, to incline to the east, again, and sail up channel, under English ensigns, perhaps?
Is it not possible for him to pass the Straits of Dover, even, as an English squadron--your own, for instance--and thus deceive the Hanoverian cruisers until ready to seize or destroy any transports that may be sent ?" "Hardly, Sir Reginald," said Bluewater, smiling.

"A French ship can no more be mistaken for an English ship, than a Frenchman can pass for a Briton.

We sailors are not as easily deceived as that would show.

It is true, however, that a fleet might well stand in one direction, until far enough off the land or covered by night, when it might change its course suddenly, in an opposite direction; and it _is possible_ the Comte de Vervillin has adopted some such stratagem.