In fact, travelers say that, in coming upon the coast, the illusion produced by the spherical form of the surface of the water and the low and level character of the coast is such that one seems actually to descend from the sea to the land.

Caesar might therefore have easily kept his expedition a secret, had it not been that, in order to be provided with a supply of water for the transports immediately on reaching them, he stopped at a solitary part of the coast, at some distance from Alexandria, and sent a party a little way into the interior in search for water.

This party were discovered by the country people, and were intercepted by a troop of horse and made prisoners.

From these prisoners the Egyptians learned that Caesar himself was on the coast with a small squadron of galleys.
The tidings spread in all directions.

The people flocked together from every quarter.