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. Berthcmie ; 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 

 Vives 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 

 Majorcan 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 



