The Battle of the Nile was a great battle fought at sea between the
British and French in the year 1798. The famous admiral, Lord Nelson,
was in command of the British fleet, and he won a most glorious victory
in which only four French ships escaped.
Towards the close of the battle the French Admiral's flagship,
_L'Orient_, caught fire, and blazed up with terrible brightness. Lord
Nelson immediately gave orders that the British boats should be put off
to save as many as possible of the poor sailors on the burning vessel.
When the boats reached her side, most of the French officers accepted
the offer of safety and sprang into them. Standing upon _L'Orient's_
deck was the little ten-year-old son of the Captain, named Casabianca,
who was the favourite of everyone on board, and as he made no attempt to
move, the British sailors shouted to him to come with them.
"No," replied the boy; "my father told me to remain here, and not to
stir unless he called me."
"But," cried the sailors in amazement, "your father lies mortally
wounded on deck, and the ship will soon blow up. Jump into the boat and
save yourself."
"No," again responded the little fellow; "I must obey my father's
orders."
As there was no time to linger, the boat put off from the ship's side. A
few minutes later the figure of Casabianca was seen in the glare of the
flames, leaning over the prostrate figure of his father.
[Illustration: CASABIANCA ON THE BURNING SHIP]
Soon after, a terrible explosion shook every ship in the bay, while
burning fragments of _L'Orient_ were hurled in the air, falling heavily
to the water in all directions. A dead silence followed this fearful
sound, and then the British boats rowed busily about, picking up those
who had leapt from the burning vessel in time to save their lives. In
this way about seventy were saved. But where was the brave boy,
Casabianca? Not a sign of him was to be seen. The noble lad had perished
with his father, faithful until death.
[Illustration]