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Nelson hit on a simple though ingenious plan that was frequently adopted in subsequent years by captains in the merchant service when racing, which always created excitement amongst the crew; the order was given to knock the wedges out of the deck coamings, ease the strain off the fore and aft stays, and when it was judicious to do it the pinch on the main rigging was also eased to give the masts more play.  The windjammer seamen knew when this order was given that they were in for a time of “cracking on,” and really enjoyed both the sport and the risk that it involved, even in the hands of skilful commanders.  By this means the speed was always increased, and it was quite a common practice on tea-clippers, Australian passenger vessels, and American packets.  The commander rarely left the quarterdeck on those occasions, unless his officers were really first-class men.  The writer has often attained successful results when racing by putting invigorating life into his ship by these old-time methods which were handed down to each generation of sailors.  No class of seamen knew more dainty tricks in manipulating sails and rigging than those who manned the slave-runner, the smuggler, and the pirate schooner.  Their vessels were designed for speed, but ofttimes when they were in a tight place they were saved from being destroyed by the superb nautical dodges which they alone knew so well how and when to put in use so that their pursuers might be outwitted and outdistanced.  It is more than probable that the Genereux would have got away had Nelson not been a past-master in all kinds of dodges to make his ship sail faster.  He knew that some of the French ships were notoriously equal to the British in sailing qualities, but he left nothing to chance.  Every drop of water was ordered to be pumped out of the hold; the wedges were removed from the masts’ coaming; the stays slackened; butts of water were hung on them; hammocks were piped down; every available sail was crowded on to her; the most reliable quartermasters were stationed at the wheel.  The Foudroyant is gaining—­she draws ahead.  The stump of the “heaven-born” Admiral’s right arm is working with agitation as his ship takes the lead.  It is now all up with the Genereux.  She surrenders after a terrific, devastating duel, and Nelson avows that had he acted according to Lord Keith’s instead of his own strategy, she would never have been taken.  The Guillaume Tell had been locked up in Malta Harbour for some time, and the commander decided to run the gauntlet, his reason being, it is stated, to relieve the starving garrison from having to feed his ship’s company, which consisted of from 1,000 to 1,200 men.  She was intercepted, engaged, and ultimately taken by the Foudroyant, Lion, and Penelope after all her masts had been shot away.  The thrilling story of this sea battle takes high rank in naval warfare.  The French