his method of attack should the enemy remain at anchor was equally audacious and can best be described by the manner in which it was executed , for this was , indeed , how the battle of the nile unfolded , at the conclusion of the meeting nelson told his captains : i know villeneuve of old , he is a wily bird and he will be a determined adversary , so we must look to our laurels and ensure that every man in the fleet knows what is expected of him .