Sharing the lot of the adventurous young seaman, Phelippeaux sailed to the Levant, and now brought to the defence of Acre the science of a skilled engineer.

Bravely seconded by British officers and seamen, he sought to repair the breach effected by the French field-pieces, and constructed at the most exposed points inner defences, before which the most obstinate efforts of the storming parties melted away.

Nine times did the assailants advance against the breaches with the confidence born of unfailing success and redoubled by the gaze of their great commander; but as often were they beaten back by the obstinate bravery of the British seamen and Turks.
The monotony was once relieved by a quaint incident.

In the course of a correspondence with Bonaparte, Sir Sidney Smith is said to have shown his annoyance by sending him a challenge to a duel.

It met with the very proper reply that he would fight, if the English would send out _a Marlborough_.
During these desperate conflicts Bonaparte detached a considerable number of troops inland to beat off a large Turkish and Mameluke force destined for the relief of Acre and the invasion of Egypt.