Boats were putting off with those inhabitants who had waited on, hoping that the Egyptians would at the last moment give in.
Many of the merchantmen had already cleared out.

Others were getting up sail.

Smoke was rising from the funnels of all the men of war.
An express boat had brought, from France, orders that the French fleet were to take no part in the proceedings, but were to proceed at once to Port Said.

This order excited the bitterest feeling of anger and humiliation among the French officers and sailors, who had relied confidently in taking their part in the bombardment; and silently their ships, one by one, left the port.

The Italian and American vessels remained for a time; and as the British ships followed, in stately order, their crews manned the rigging and vociferously cheered our sailors, who replied as heartily.
All, save the British men of war, took up their stations well out at sea, in a direction where they would be out of the fire of the Egyptian batteries.