|
|
|||||||||||||||||
In our Library - where Books are free |
||||||||||
Chapter 2 - Old Sea Dog
-
|
||||||||||
|
may imagine the awe and solemn stillness-not a word spoken; the silence was only broken by the chaplain commencing the prayer. The Egyptians and Arabs wondered at the silence, and the French officers who were prisoners on board, and mostly infidels, listened with respect. When Napoleon heard of the loss of his fleet he broke the news to his officers at the breakfast table thus, " Well, gentlemen, how do you like Egypt? " Their reply generally was "Very well," to which he replied, "I am very glad you do, for Nelson has taken and destroyed our fleet, and there are no means of getting back to France." We laid in the bay some time, refitting and getting six of the French line of battle ships ready to send to England, the other four being so shattered that they were destroyed. Captain Berry, afterwards Sir Edward Berry, sent for me to say that Lieutenant Capel recommended me for promotion for good conduct during the action, therefore he had rated |
|
© Peter Smith 2008