_French_ not less than 35 in boarding, for they lost very few by the great Shot, the _Sally_ Men firing mostly at the Masts and Rigging, hoping by disabling to carry her. The limited Time of their Cruize being out, the _Victoire_ returned to _Marseilles_, from whence _Misson_, taking his Companion, went to visit his Parents, to whom the Captain sent a very advantageous Character, both of his Courage and Conduct. He was about a Month at home when his Captain wrote to him, that his Ship was order'd to _Rochelle_, from whence he was to sail for the _West-Indies_ with some Merchant Men. This was very agreeable to _Misson_ and Signior _Caraccioli_, who immediately set out for _Marseilles_. This Town is well fortified, has four Parish Churches, and the Number of Inhabitants is computed to be about 120,000; the Harbour is esteemed the safest in the _Mediterranean_, and is the common Station for the _French_ Gallies. Leaving this Place, they steer'd for _Rochelle_, where the _Victoire_ was dock'd, the Merchant Ships not being near ready. _Misson_, who did not care to pass so long a Time in Idleness, proposed to his Comrade the taking a Cruize on board the _Triumph_, who was going into the _English_ Channel; the _Italian_ readily consented to it. Between the Isle of _Guernsey_ and the _Start Point_, they met with the _Mayflower_, Captain _Balladine_ Commanded, a Merchant Ship of 18 Guns, richly laden, and coming from _Jamaica_. The Captain of the _English_ made a gallant Resistance, and fought his Ship so long, that the _French_ could not carry her into Harbour, wherefore they took the Money, and what was most valuable, out of her; and finding she made more Water than the Pumps could free, quitted, and saw her go down in less than four Hours after. Monsieur _le Blanc_, the _French_ Captain, received Captain _Balladine_ very civilly, and would not suffer either him or his Men to be stripp'd, saying, None but Cowards ought to be treated after that Manner; that brave Men ought to treat such, though their Enemies, as Brothers; and that to use a gallant Man (who does his Duty) ill, speaks a Revenge which cannot proceed but from a Coward Soul. He order'd that the Prisoners should have their Chests; and when some of his Men seem'd to mutter, he bid 'em remember the Grandeur of the Monarch they serv'd; that they were neither Pyrates nor Privateers; and, as brave Men, they ought to shew their Enemies an Example they would willingly have follow'd, and use their Prisoners as they wish'd to be us'd.