Napoleon's Egypt: Invading The Middle East - Reenactor.ru

6THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NILETHAT HAS EVER BEENOn 1 August, the engineer and scientist Prosper Jollois, based at the portof Rosetta, went hiking with some friends to the nearby village of AbuMandur. 1 The landmark of the village, a big square tower, impressedthem despite being in a dreadful state of disrepair. Around 6 P.M. as the lambentsun sank, “suddenly, a loud sound struck my ears.” He could clearly distinguishthe roar of cannon. He wondered, “Where could it have come from, if not thefleet? It was being attacked.” He ran to the tower and mounted it, intending atfirst to watch the fray. But the awful possibilities that such a confrontationmight bring in its train so dispirited him that he clambered down and straggledback to his room in Rosetta. His colleagues confirmed for him that the fleet waswaging battle.Restless again, he went upstairs. “I ascended to the terrace of the house.The night was dark, permitting me to see numerous clear forms by the light ofthe cannon.” The ships were firing broadsides at one another. “That was followedimmediately by a horrifying noise, and a frightful carnage continued. Oh!Naval combat is such a terrible thought.” He was lost in his apprehensions when“a steady white gleam, which grew by degrees, struck our eyes.” The glaucousshimmer expanded so rapidly that it soon became indisputable that a ship wason fire. It was listing with the wind, and then the incandescent fireworks began.The fire had clearly infiltrated an ammunition magazine below decks. The ship“jumped,” Jollois recalled. “Nothing is more terrifying or more beautiful.” Thecombat appeared to have halted. He went down to try to sleep, but could notclose his eyes out of anxiety.The next morning, he sprinted to the tower at Abu Mandur. Although thecombat had tapered off around 10 or 11 P.M., it had recommenced in the night,