He was not afraid to risk a duel with the _Phoebe_ even with this handicap in armament, but the sloop-of-war _Cherub_ was a formidable vessel for her size and the _Essex, Junior_, which was only a converted merchantman, was of small account in a hammer-and-tongs action between naval ships.
For his part, Captain Hillyar had no intention of letting the Yankee frigate escape him.

"He was an old disciple of Nelson," observes Mahan, "fully imbued with the teaching that the achievement of success and not personal glory must dictate action.

Having a well established reputation for courage and conduct, he intended to leave nothing to the chances of fortune which might decide a combat between equals.

He therefore would accept no provocation to fight without the _Cherub_.

His duty was to destroy the _Essex_ with the least possible loss." Porter endured this vexatious situation for six weeks and then, learning that other British frigates were on his trail, determined to escape to the open sea.