Whether the love-sick soldier went to look for "la jolie marchande" and what she said to him are not recorded; but it is to be feared that he experienced a rude awakening.
In his new command, named _François_, of 48 guns, Du Guay Trouin was soon busy, taking several prizes of considerable value off the coast of Ireland. He was longing, however, for an opportunity of avenging himself for his defeat and capture, and early in the year 1695 he had his wish, encountering a large convoy of vessels laden with huge spars, suitable for masts, etc., bound from North America, under the protection of the _Nonsuch_, of 48 guns. One of the convoy, the _Falcon_, was also well armed, carrying 38 guns, according to Du Guay Trouin, and pierced for 72. He calls the _Falcon_ the _Boston_, and the _Nonsuch_ by the equivalent French name, _Sanspareil_.
He says that the inhabitants of Boston had had the _Falcon_ built, and loaded with valuable mast-timber and choice skins, as a present to King William III.
Sighting the enemy about noon, Du Guay Trouin immediately attacked the _Falcon_, and with his first few broadsides inflicted immense damage, sending her maintopmast by the board, and smashing her mainyard. Leaving her for a time, he laid his ship on board the _Nonsuch_, the two ships exchanging a hot fire from great guns and small arms the while. The Frenchmen discharged a number of grenades on the decks of the _Nonsuch_, and then the boarders leaped across; but fire broke out on the after part of the English ship, and raged with such fury that Du Guay Trouin was compelled to recall his men and disengage his vessel. Seeing the flames nearly extinguished, he closed again; but he was premature, for the fire once more flared up, and caught his own maintopsail and foresail. While both ships were busy tackling the fire night came on, and they fell apart, repairing damages on both sides.
At daybreak Du Guay Trouin renewed his attack upon the _Nonsuch_; but just as he was laying her aboard her fore and mainmasts fell with a crash, and he was compelled once more to sheer off--this time however, with the certainty that she was his. Seeing the _Falcon_ making all sail in the endeavour to escape, he steered for her, and very quickly obtained her submission; meanwhile, the _Nonsuch_ had lost her remaining mast, and was an absolute wreck, sorely damaged also in her hull.