Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/52

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26
THE REIGN

less in number, but they had several ships quite disabled.

The day after this fatal engagement the British fleet kept in sight of the Russians, but without having it in their power to attack them; they were too much weakened by their loss; and the enemy making some motions which indicated a design to renew the engagement, Philips thought it most for the king's service to retire into port and refit.

The King was at the council when the news of the action was brought him; was undismayed, and replied "The Lord's will be done;" but it was a clap of thunder to every mortal besides. It was every moment expected that the Russian General would make a descent; the whole nation was in the utmost confusion; a sudden run upon the Bank was near occasioning a stop, and thestocks