354 EGYPT. 
CHAP, encampment, routed, and kicked' into the Lake 
IX. 
'— ly^. <f of Aboukir. 
Battle of At the hour appointed, the attack was made. 
the Twen- _,.. ^.,_^, . . 
iy-first. in the begnmnig oi it, the French conducted 
themselves with admirable skill. It is certain 
our army did not then expect them ; although, 
for two preceding nights, the soldiers had been 
ordered to lie down upon their arms, and be 
ready at a moment's notice. They came silently 
on, and in good order; which is the more 
remarkable, as it was said the greater part of 
them had been dosed with brandy. They had 
crept with amazing perseverance, even upon 
their hands and knees, through fear of alarming 
our videttes. The French videttes were, how- 
ever, observed to draw nearer and nearer to 
ours ; until, at length, the ■ English sentinel 
observed the French army close behind, coming 
slowly on in a line. This man gave the alarm, 
by firing his musket, and retreating with all 
possible expedition. The French instantly and 
rapidly charged up the hill, beginning a false 
attack upon our left; and, carrying a redoubt by 
(l) The literal translation of culbiiter, the word used by Menau is 
the orders given for that attack ; as found in the pocket of General 
Roise, whose head was taken off by a cannon-ball. See the original, 
in Sir Jiobcrf. TVilsnu's Hist, of the Expedition. 
