They had not been above five or six days at sea till one evening the _Lyon_ ship of war appeared, and came pretty near them and then disappeared. Next morning she came again in view and disappeared. She continued to do so three or four times, and the last time of her appearing she came within a mile or so of them: when the captain of the _Elizabeth_ (a Frenchman) came on board the frigate, and told Mr. Welch if he would assist him by keeping one side of the _Lyon_ in play at a distance, he would immediately put all things in order for the attack. Mr. Welch, well knowing the trust he had on board, answered him civilly, and told him it was what he could not think of doing, and withal remarked to him it was his humble opinion that he should not think of fighting unless he should happen to be attacked, because his business was to be convoy to the frigate in the voyage. However, he said, as he pretended not to any command over him, he might do as he thought proper. The French captain to all this replied, that from the _Lion's_ appearing and disappearing so often, it seemed as if she were looking out for another ship to assist her, and if she should happen to be joined by any other, they no doubt would instantly fall upon the _Elizabeth_ and the frigate, and devour them both: and therefore he behoved to think it the wisest course to fight the _Lion_ when single, because the _Elizabeth_ in that case was fit enough for the engagement, and would bid fair enough to give a good account of the _Lion_. Upon this the French captain drew his sword, took leave of Mr. Welch and his company, went on board the _Elizabeth_ with his sword still drawn in his hand, and gave the necessary orders for the attack. Immediately the _Elizabeth_ bore down upon the _Lion_ (each of them consisting of about sixty guns, and therefore equally matched), and begun the attack with great briskness. The fight continued for five or six hours, when the _Lion_ was obliged to sheer off like a tub upon the water. About the time when the captain came on board the frigate, the Prince was making ready to go on board the _Elizabeth_ for more air and greater conveniency every way, the frigate being crowded with the gentlemen, the servants, and the crew. His friends reckoned it very lucky that he had not gone on board. The frigate all the time of the engagement lay at such a small distance, that (as the Prince observed to several friends in Scotland) the _Lion_ might have sunk her with the greatest ease. But he said it was their good fortune that the _Lion_ had despised them, and thought not the frigate worth the while. Besides the _Lion_ found enough of employment for all her hands in playing her part against the _Elizabeth_.