it was that he frequently beat those who beat better
players than himself?" Vingt et un was given up, as they played too
high at it; and Napoleon had a great aversion to gaming. One night a
negro threw himself overboard to avoid a flogging, which occasioned a
great noise and bustle. A young midshipman meeting Las Cases descending
into the cabin, and thinking he was going to inform Napoleon, caught
hold of his coat and in a tone of great concern exclaimed, "Ah sir, do
not alarm the Emperor! Tell him the noise is owing to an accident!" In
general the midshipmen behaved with marked respect and attention to
Bonaparte, and often by signs or words directed the sailors to avoid
incommoding him: He sometimes noticed this conduct, and remarked that
youthful hearts were always prone to generous instincts.

On the 1st of September they found themselves in the latitude of the Cape
de Verd Islands. Everything now promised a prosperous passage, but the
time hung heavily. Las Cases had undertaken to teach his son English,
and the Emperor also expressed a wish to learn. He, however, soon grew
tired and laid it aside, nor was it resumed until long afterwards. His
manners and habits were always the same; he invariably appeared
contented, patient, and good-humoured. The Admiral gradually laid aside
his reserve, and took an interest in his great captive. He pointed out
the danger incurred by coming on deck after dinner, owing to the damp of
the evening: the Emperor, would then sometimes take his arm and prolong
the conversation, talking sometimes on naval affairs, on the French
resources in the south, and on the improvements he had contemplated in
the ports and harbours of the Mediterranean, to all which the Admiral
listened with deep attention.

Meanwhile Napoleon observed that Las Cases was busily employed, and
obtained a sight of his journal, with which he was not displeased. He,
however, noticed that some of the military details and anecdotes gave but
a meagre idea of the subject of war: This first led to the proposal of
his writing his own Memoirs. At length the Emperor came to a
determination, and on Saturday, the 9th of September he called his
secretary into his cabin and dictated to him some particulars of the
siege of Toulon. On approaching the line they fell in with the
trade-winds, that blow here constantly from the east. On the 16th there
was a considerable fall of rain, to the great joy of the sailors, who
were in want of wa