EGYPT. 343 
before informed of our approach, was totally chap. 
unprepared; and the lives of many brave soldiers ■> 
might have been spared. The following day 
proved unpropitious, and our army was unable 
to land: in consequence of this, the enemy 
gained time to strengthen himself, and to 
spread news of the invasion in all parts of the 
country where his forces were stationed. Pre- 
parations were accordingly made for a stout 
opposition. The succeeding morning was equally 
unfavourable, and six days were lost in the 
same manner; daring all which time, the 
English fleet remained in sight of the French 
army ; and was at length so little regarded, that 
the French, becoming dupes by the delay, 
believed the whole to be intended as a feint, , 
which might beguile their attention from the 
part of the coast where the descent was really 
meditated. So completely did this opinion 
finally prevail, that the time thus allowed them 
to prepare for their defence was not employed 
so advantageously as it might have been. A 
Greek deserter, sent, as they afterwards believed, 
by our army, had circulated among them a 
report, to which implicit credit was given, 
affirming that our intention was to land the 
army at Jajri, upon the coast of Si/ria. 
The delay shewn upon this occasion was not 
Y 2 
