The swiftest and best of the captured cruisers were fitted out with crews and added to the American vessel, until Captain Porter had under his command seven ships, carrying 80 guns and 340 men, in addition to nearly a hundred prisoners.

Still more were added, and the cruise of the _Essex_ and her companions in that part of the world became very much like a picnic.
A number of powerful British frigates were searching for the _Essex_, which had wrought such prodigious mischief.

Porter sailed for the Marquesas Islands, reaching them in the latter part of October.

There he landed, built a fort and made the repairs of which his vessel stood in sore need.
The work accomplished by Captain Porter was almost beyond computation.
He literally destroyed English commerce in the Pacific, for none of the vessels not captured dared leave port, and the American merchant ships were protected.

The play being over, he craved more serious business.