I then asked how long it would take to go there: Las Cases answered,
"As the tide will be against us, it will require five or six hours."
Why these false statements were made, I cannot pretend to say; but it
is very certain that Buonaparte never quitted the frigates or Isle
d'Aix, after his arrival there on the 3rd of July.

General Lallemand took occasion to ask me if I thought there would be
any risk of the people, who might accompany Buonaparte, being given
up to the Government of France: I replied, "Certainly not; the British
Government never could think of doing so, under the circumstances
contemplated in the present arrangement."

They left me about half-past nine A.M. In the course of the day, I was
joined by the Myrmidon, Captain Gambier, who had been sent to me by
Captain Green, of the Daphne, with a letter he had received from
Captain Aylmer, of the Pactolus, in the Gironde, bringing information
that it was the intention of Buonaparte to escape from Rochefort in a
Danish sloop, concealed in a cask stowed in the ballast, with tubes so
constructed as to convey air for his breathing. I afterwards inquired
of General Savary, if there had been any foundation for such a report;
when he informed me that the plan had been thought of, and the vessel
in some measure prepared; but it was considered too hazardous; for had
we detained the vessel for a day or two, he would have been obliged
to make his situation known, and thereby forfeited all claims to the
good treatment he hoped to ensure by a voluntary surrender.

The two Captains dined with me, and afterwards went on board the
Myrmidon, to take up a position to the north-east of the Bellerophon,
to prevent vessels from passing close in shore, and thus to render the
blockade of the port more complete.

Soon after they left me, a barge was perceived rowing off from the
frigates towards the Bellerophon with a flag-of-truce up; on which I
recalled Captains Sartorius and Gambier, by signal, that they might be
present at any communication that was to be made. The boat got
alongside about seven P.M. and brought Count Las Cases, accompanied by
General Baron Gourgaud, one of Buonaparte's Aid-de-Camps. On their
coming on deck, I immediately addressed Las Cases, saying, "It is
impossible you could have been at Rochefort, and returned, since you
left me this morning." He replied, "No; it was not necessary; I found
the Emperor at Isle d'Aix, on my arrival there." He then told m