Rigaud left Les Cayes as Dessalines’s vanguard came within three leagues, and embarked at Tiburon on a Danish ship for Saint-Thomas.

Meanwhile, in spite of Toussaint’s promises, Dessalines’s march did not halt; on 10 thermidor, at daybreak (29 July), his vanguard was only three leagues from Les Cayes. Rigaud could decidedly no longer trust the word of his rival. Everything suggested that he sought to seize his person. Rigaud resolved to leave at once a town that lay open, almost without a garrison, already starved by a long blockade, and where it would have been vain temerity to wish to continue the struggle. He went to visit the posts. At the fort of the Ilet, Captain Landron was preparing to cannonade vessels of Toussaint’s that were tacking within his range. Rigaud complimented him on his energetic attitude and forbade him to commit any hostility. He went to make the same recommendation to the brave men of the block-house of the levée that commanded the entrance to the town. Then he took leave of the crowd that thronged the Marché square, situated opposite the Government house. It was an affecting scene: cries of grief rose to the heavens; people pressed upon the steps of his horse. He tore himself painfully from the arms of this population, whose firmest support he had been for so long. At last he took, under the escort of squadron commander Borgella (1), the road to Tiburon, where he had already had several vessels directed. He arrived there toward evening. There he made his last farewells to his companions and embarked with his family, on a Danish ship, for Saint-Thomas (2).