La Rochelle appears in the captive’s escape narrative as the intended destination of the French corsairs who intercept his party. The city is named as a point of origin and a planned refuge, not as a place the captives themselves reach in the described episode.

Place in the Escape Narrative

After the escapees’ vessel is disabled and they are taken aboard the French ship, its captain decides against putting in at a Spanish port. He instead proposes passing the Strait of Gibraltar and making for La Rochelle, from which he had sailed. The destination is part of his plan to avoid consequences for the robbery.

Connection to the Corsairs

La Rochelle is associated with the corsairs through the captain’s voyage: he had sailed from the city, and he presents it as the ship’s intended return point. The episode distinguishes this planned route from the captives’ own course. Once set down near the Spanish coast, they take a small boat and row toward land rather than continuing with the corsairs.

Narrative Significance

The city’s brief mention marks the difference between the corsairs’ return journey and the captives’ precarious recovery of freedom. La Rochelle remains a destination in the captain’s intention; the account gives no confirmation that his ship arrives there.