CHAPTER XI.
The Voyage to Egypt--Malta surrendered--The French escape Nelson, and take Alexandria--The March up the Nile--The Battle of the Pyramids--Cairo surrenders--The Battle of Aboukir.
The French fleet was reinforced, ere it had proceeded far on its way, by General Dessaix, and his division from Italy; and, having prosperous winds, appeared on the 10th of June off Malta.

The Knights of St.John were no longer those hardy and devout soldiers of the cross, who for ages inspired terror among the Mussulmans, and were considered as the heroic outguards of Christendom.

Sunk in indolence and pleasure, these inheritors of a glorious name hardly attempted for a moment to defend their all but impregnable island, against the fleet which covered the seas around them.

The Parisian authorities had tampered successfully beforehand with some of the French knights.

Division of counsels prevailed: and in confusion and panic the gates were thrown open.