ESCAPE FROM MAJORCA. 35 
to it. But these reports had nothing menacing until the 
moment of the arrival at Palma, the 27th of May, 1808, 
of an ordnance officer from Napoleon. This officer was 
M. Berthémie; he carried to the Spanish squadron, at 
Mahon, the order to go in all haste to Toulon. <A general 
rising, which placed the life of this officer in danger, 
followed the news of his mission. ‘The Captain-General 
Vivés only saved his life by shutting him up in the 
strong castle of Belver. They then bethought them- 
selves of the Frenchman established on the Clop de 
Galazo, and formed a popular expedition to go and seize 
him. 
M. Damian, the owner of a small kind of vessel called 
a Mistic, which the Spanish Government had placed at 
my disposal, was beforehand with them, and brought me 
a costume by means of which I disguised myself. In 
directing myself towards Palma, in company with this 
brave seaman, we met with the rioters who were going 
in search of me. They did not recognize me, for I spoke 
Majorean perfectly. I strongly encouraged the men of 
this detachment to continue their route, and I pursued 
my way towards Palma. At night I went on board the 
Mistic, commanded by Don Manuel de Vacaro, whom 
the Spanish Government had placed under my orders. 
I asked this officer if he would conduct me to Barcelona, 
occupied by the French, promising him that if they made 
any attempt to keep him there, I would at once return and 
surrender myself a prisoner. 
Don Manuel, who up to this time had shown extreme 
obsequiousness towards me, had now no words but those 
of rudeness and distrust. There occurred on the pier 
where the Mistic was moored a riotous movement, which 
Vacaro assured me was directed against me. “ Do not 
