"Make no attempt to intercept _my_ Canal. I am there. Not a single English soldier shall disembark without being accompanied by a French soldier. I answer for everything." On receipt of this message, a Council of War was held, which, with the exception of Arabi, who still hesitated, unanimously decided to act. The answer to M. de Lesseps was as follows:--"Sincere thanks, assurances consolatory, but not sufficient under existing circumstances. The defence of Egypt requires the temporary destruction of the Canal." Fortunately the despatch ordering the destruction of the Canal was sent by a roundabout route by way of Cairo, and when men and material were ready to carry out the work, the English were already in occupation, in spite of M. de Lesseps' positive declarations. The fifteen hours' delay caused by M. de Lesseps' communication prevented the execution of the orders of the Council. CHAPTER XIX. SEIZURE OF THE SUEZ CANAL. The seizure and temporary occupation of the Suez Canal by the British forces became an absolute necessity from the moment that Sir Garnet Wolseley determined to make Ismailia the base of his operations. Once decided on, the evolution was performed on the night of the 19th-20th of August in a quiet, practical, and business-like manner, reflecting the highest credit on the British Navy. The work at Port Saïd was carried out by the _Monarch_ and the _Iris_, the first-named vessel being so moored off the town that her forward turret guns commanded the main street leading to the quay, whilst the _Iris_ was to seaward of the _Monarch_, in a position whence she could shell the beach and the Arab town. The ironclad _Northumberland_ lay anchored in the offing off Fort Ghemil, the object being to check an exodus of the coal labourers from Port Saïd, and to create an impression that the fort was to be attacked. At 11 on the night of the 19th the ships' companies of the _Monarch_ and _Iris_ were called on deck and warned that they would be landed at 3 a.m. At exactly 3.30 on the 20th the landing began amidst the strictest silence. So quietly was the operation carried out that those on board the French ironclad _La Gallissonière_, moored close astern of the _Monarch_, and to the same buoy, knew nothing of what was going on. The landing party comprised two companies of seamen and one of marines from the _Monarch_, and a small naval brigade and a company of marines from the _Iris_, with two Gatling guns.