three o'clock before
Another great fire was raging in the heart of the town , and anxiety for those on shore , for the time , overpowered the feeling of exultation at the victory that had been gained . At half-past ten a white flag was hoisted at the Pharos battery , and all on board watched , with deep anxiety , what was to follow . Lieutenant Lambton at once steamed into the fort , in the Bittern , to enquire if the government were ready to surrender . It was three o'clock before he steamed out again , with the news that his mission was fruitless ; and that the white flag had only been hoisted , by the officer in command of the fort , to enable himself and his men to get away unmolested . Lieutenant Lambton had obtained an interview with the military governor , on behalf of the government , and told him that we were not at war with Egypt , and had simply destroyed the forts because they threatened the fleet ; that we had no conditions to impose upon the government , but were ready to discuss any proposal ; and that the troops would be allowed to evacuate the forts , with the honour of war . It was most unfortunate that the fleet had not brought with them two or three thousand troops . Had they done so they could have landed at once , and saved a great portion of the town from destruction ; but as he had no soldiers , the admiral could not land a portion of the sailors , as the large Egyptian force in the town , which was still protected by a number of land batteries , might fall upon them .