Page:Battles of the Nile and Alexandria.pdf/3

 secure, to France a share, if not the whole of the commerce of the East. The invasion of Egypt being the resolved upon, a large fleet, having on board a numerous army, commander by Buonaparte, sailed from Toulon on the 19th of May, 1798. The line of battle ships, of this formidable armament, extended for a league; and the immense convoy, by which they were accompanied, formed a semicircle of nearly six times that extent. On the 29th of June following, the French fleet arrived in safety on the coast of Egypt, though not without making several narrow escapes from the British squadron, commanded by the immortal Nelson, who had been for some weeks in quest of them. The French troops having been landed, the fleet proceeded to the bay of Aboukir, a short distance from the place of debarkation, and there came to anchor: taking up at the same time, what they considered a strong position, in case of any attack from the English squadron, should they be discovered.

Nelson was scouring the sees in search of this fleet; and having repaired to the neighbourhood of Naples for information, he directed his course towards Sicily. He there learned the surrender of Malta, and immediately took on board expert pilots, and passed the straits of Messina. He was now informed that the French had left Malta; he instantly steered for Candia, and being assured they were bound for Egypt, whither he concluded they must have directed their course, as they had sailed from Toulon with a north-west wind. After a pursuit of several weeks' duration, sometimes obtaining intelligence of the enemy, and for many days together, losing sight entirely of their route, Nelson learned that they had gone towards Alexandria. To this place, therefore, he determined to proceed