l Cockburn, who expressed his surprise to his officers; but Madame
Bertrand, whose maternal language was English, replied with spirit, "Do
not forget, sir, that your guest is a man who has governed a large
portion of the world, and that kings once contended for the honour of
being admitted to his table."--"Very true," rejoined the Admiral; and
from that time he did his utmost to comply with Napoleon's habits. He
shortened the time of sitting at table, ordering coffee for Napoleon and
those who accompanied him even before the rest of the company had
finished their dinner. The Emperor remained walking on deck till dark.
On returning to the after-cabin he sat down to play vingt et un with some
of his suite, and generally retired in about half an hour. On the
morning of the 15th of August all his suite asked permission to be
admitted to his presence. He was not aware of the cause of this visit;
it was his birthday, which seemed to have altogether escaped his
recollection.

On the following day they doubled Cape Finisterre, and up to the 21st,
passing off the Straits of Gibraltar, continued their course along the
coast of Africa towards Madeira. Napoleon commonly remained in his cabin
the whole morning, and from the extreme heat he wore a very slight dress.
He could not sleep well, and frequently rose in the night. Reading was
his chief occupation. He often sent for Count Las Cases to translate
whatever related to St. Helena or the countries by which they were
sailing. Napoleon used to start a subject of conversation; or revive
that of some preceding day, and when he had taken eight or nine turns the
whole length of the deck he would seat himself on the second gun from the
gangway on the larboard side. The midshipmen soon observed this habitual
predilection, so that the cannon was thenceforth called the Emperor's
gun. It was here that Napoleon often conversed for hours together.

On the 22d of August they came within sight of Madeira, and at night
arrived off the port. They stopped for a day or two to take in
provisions. Napoleon was indisposed. A sudden gale arose and the air
was filled with small particles of sand and the suffocating exhalations
from the deserts of Africa. On the evening of the 24th they got under
weigh again, and progressed smoothly and rapidly. The Emperor added to
his amusements a game at piquet. He was but an, indifferent
chess-player, and there was no very good one on board. He asked,
jestingly, "How