[Cyclefrance]

Now, will you get this one....?

Nelson lay severely wounded aboard the HMS Victory, awaiting attack from the French navy. It was a foggy morning. The mist hung low. He called to his lookout and signalman: 'climb the rigging and tell me if the Frenchies are sending a signal to attack!'

Away the signalman scurried, returning some five minutes later with a slihghtly panicked expression on his face: 'It's still very misty, admiral, sir. There is a signal but it is difficult to read. It seems to say "to the water, it is the hour" '.

'That makes no real sense. We need to be sure of the message. Go look again - the mists are surely clearing fast now.'

Again the signalman climbed the rigging, returning some ten minutes later this time:' Sir, it definitely says what I said before "to the water, it is the hour" '.

'Are you really sure, for that is indeed a strange message?'

'Well, I am translating from the French' said the signalman

'And what, pray, is the French, then?'

'Why, a l'eau, c'est l'heure, of course!'