The Portuguese, however, had not done with him. On their next visit to Africa some of the crew were laid up with malarial fever, and the first lieutenant caught it. He was very ill, and Surcouf earned the warm approbation of the captain for the manner in which he performed his senior's duties on the return voyage. After they arrived at Mauritius he was just going on shore when he received a message begging him to go and see the Portuguese, who said he must speak to him before he died. Surcouf did not much like the idea, but, after some hesitation, he went, having put a pair of loaded pistols in his pocket. The sick man made a sign to his servant to retire, and then said: "I wish to speak to you with a sincere heart before I pass from this world, to relieve my conscience, and ask your forgiveness for all the evil I have wished to do you during our voyages." Surcouf, touched by this appeal, assured him that he bore no malice. Just then the dying man appeared to suffer from a spasm which contorted his body, one arm stretching out towards a pillow near him. Surcouf quietly seized his hand and lifted the pillow, disclosing a couple of loaded pistols. He seized them, and, pointing one at his enemy's face, said: "You miserable beast! I could have shot you like a dog, or squashed you like a cockroach; but I despise you too much, so I'll leave you to die like a coward." Which, we are told, the wretched man did, blaspheming in despairing rage. After this, his ship being laid up in consequence of the blockade, he was appointed junior lieutenant of a colonial man of war, with a commission signed by the Governor. Then came news of the death of Louis XVI. by the guillotine--news which astounded the colonists and seamen, who, in the Indian seas, were defending the "honour" of France--which they continued to do to the best of their ability, disregarding the deadly feuds and bloodshed at home. In October 1794 a little squadron was despatched from Mauritius to attack a couple of English men-of-war which were practically blockading the island--these were the _Centurion_, of 54 guns, and the _Diomede_, of the same force but fewer men; and the French squadron consisted of the _Prudente_, 40 guns, the _Cybèle_, 44 guns, the _Jean Bart_, 20 guns, and the _Courier_, 14 guns. The Frenchmen attacked with great spirit, and the English vessels were practically driven off the station; partly owing, it was said, to the extreme caution displayed by Captain Matthew Smith, of the _Diomede_, for which he was subsequently called upon to answer before a court-martial.[14]