t present, no
means of getting their cargoes unloaded. The native boatmen had, for
the most part, struck work; and had they been willing to man their
boats, they must have remained idle as, in view of the situation, the
merchants felt that their goods were much safer on board ship than they
would be in their magazines. It was settled, therefore that, for the
present, Annie and the child should remain on board the Simoon, while
Gregory should take up his residence at the office.

The fleet in the harbour was now an imposing one. Not only were the
English and French squadrons there, but some Italian ships of war had
arrived, and a United States cruiser; and on the 7th of July, Sir
Beauchamp Seymour sent in a decisive message, that he should commence a
bombardment of the fort unless the strengthening of the fortifications
was, at once, abandoned. No heed was taken of the intimation and, three
days later, he sent an ultimatum demanding the cessation of work, and
the immediate surrender of the forts nearest to the entrance to the
harbour; stating that, if these terms were not complied with in
twenty-four hours, the bombardment would commence.

Already the greater part of the European inhabitants had left the town,
and taken up their quarters in the merchant ships that had been engaged
for the purpose. A few, however, of the bankers and merchants
determined to remain. These gathered in the bank, and in Mr. Ferguson's
house, to which the most valuable goods in other establishments were
removed. They had an ample supply of firearms, and believed that they
could hold out for a considerable time. They were convinced that the
Egyptian troops would not, for an hour, resist the fire that would be
opened upon them, but would speedily evacuate the town; and that,
therefore, there would only be the mob to be encountered, and this but
for a short time, as the sailors would land as soon as the Egyptian
troops fled.

The Egyptians, on the other hand, believed absolutely in their ability
to destroy the fleet.

Both parties were wrong. The Europeans greatly undervalued the fighting
powers of the Egyptians, animated as they were by confidence in the
strength of the defences, by their number, and by their fanaticism;
while the Egyptians similarly undervalued the tremendous power of our
ships.

That evening, and the next morning, the port presented an animated
appearance. Boats were putting off with those inhabitants who had
waited on,