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 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