t ten A.M." "Then I can safely assert, on my
honour, that he was not in either of those vessels. I left him at
half-past five this evening, when it was his full intention to come on
board this ship to-morrow morning; what he may have done since that
hour, I cannot be responsible for." I answered, "As you give your word
of honour that Buonaparte had not left Isle d'Aix when you quitted it,
I shall trust to what you say, and take no steps in consequence of the
information that has been brought to me, but conclude it has
originated in some mistake."

About three in the morning, the officer of the watch awoke me, and
said that another boat wished to come alongside. I rose and went upon
deck immediately, and found that she brought the same intelligence
from another quarter; and they both eventually proved correct, to a
certain extent: for two chasse-marees, as I was afterwards informed,
had been prepared, manned, and officered from the frigates, to be used
as a last resource to attempt an escape in, in the event of Las
Cases' mission to the Bellerophon not being successful; and they had
actually passed Rochelle, in their way to Pointeau d'Aguillon, at the
hour specified, and were there to await his joining them should it
prove necessary.[3]

[Footnote 3: Chasse-Marees are small decked vessels, rigged
as luggers; they are generally from twenty to thirty-five
tons burthen, and are used almost exclusively for the
coasting trade of France. Though there is no doubt that,
during the summer months, a vessel of this description might
succeed in making the voyage to America; yet if we take into
consideration the indolent habits that Buonaparte had of late
years given way to; the very small space for the
accommodation of himself and suite, and for the stowage of
provisions, water, and other necessaries; that there was no
friendly port he could have touched at, to gain
supplies;--the utter impracticability of his reaching his
destination in a vessel of that description, even if he had
eluded the vigilance of our cruisers, will at once be evident
to every one.]

After I had determined to abide by Las Cases' assurance, that
Buonaparte had not quitted Isle d'Aix, I enquired of the person who
brought off the information in the evening, "What was the state of
Rochelle, and whether I might with safety sen