and fast bidding Becker get him away from the mainland.  Such was the desire of his best friends.  Paris capitulated to the allies on July 4th, and both French royalists and Prussians were eager to get hold of him.  Thus, while he sat weaving plans of a campaign on the Loire, the tottering Government at Paris pressed on his embarkation, hinting that force would be used should further delays ensue.  Sadly, then, on July 8th, he went on board the “Saale,” moored near L’Ile d’Aix, opposite the mouth of the Charente.

He was now in sore straits.  The orders from Paris expressly forbade his setting foot again on the mainland, and most of the great towns had already hoisted the white flag.  In front of him was the Bay of Biscay, swept by British cruisers, which the French naval officers had scant hopes of escaping.  There was talk among Napoleon’s suite, which now included Montholon, Las Cases, and Lallemand, of attempting flight from the Gironde, or in the hold of a small Danish sloop then at Rochefort, or on two fishing boats moored to the north of L’Ile de Re; but these plans were given up in consequence of the close watch kept by our cruisers at all points.  The next day brought with it a despatch from Paris ordering the ex-Emperor to set sail within twenty-four hours.

On the morrow Napoleon sent Savary and Las Cases with a letter to H.M.S.  “Bellerophon,” then cruising off the main channel—­that between the islands of Oleron and Re—­asking whether the permits for Napoleon’s voyage to America had arrived, or his departure would be prevented.  Savary also inquired whether his passage on a merchant-ship would be stopped.  The commander, Captain Maitland, had received strict orders to intercept Napoleon; but, seeking to gain time and to bring Admiral Hotham up with other ships, he replied that he would oppose the frigates by force:  neither could he permit Napoleon to set sail on a merchant-ship until he had the warrant of his admiral for so doing.  The “Bellerophon,” “Myrmidon,” and “Slaney” now drew closer in to guard the middle channel, while a corvette watched each of the difficult outlets on the north and south.[533]

Three days of sorrow and suspense now ensued.  On the 12th came the news of the entry of Louis XVIII. into Paris, the collapse of the Provisional Government, and the general hoisting of the fleur-de-lys throughout France.  On the 13th Joseph Bonaparte came for a last interview with his brother on the Ile d’Aix.  Montholon states that the ex-King offered to change places with the ex-Emperor and thus allow him the chance of escaping on a neutral ship from the Gironde.  Gourgaud does not refer to any such offer, nor does Bertrand in his letter of July 14th to Joseph.  In any case, it was not put to the test; for royalism was rampant on the mainland, and two of our cruisers hovered about the Gironde.  Sadly the two brothers parted, and for ever.  Then the other schemes were again mooted only to be given up once more; and late on the 13th Napoleon dictated the following letter, to be taken by Gourgaud to the Prince Regent: