He sailed to Isle de France (present-day Mauritius) in August on a commercial brig, and was informed on his arrival of the outbreak of war against Britain.
Isle de France was threatened by two vessels (54-gun and 60-gun) commanded by Commodore Osborn.
He became a living legend in France and, in England, a public enemy whose capture was valued at 5 millions francs, although he was noted for the discpline of his crew and his humane treatment of prisoners.