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 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.