To his disappointed surprise, the American fighting ship was ready for action on the instant.

Though the punctilious restraints of a neutral port should have compelled them to delay battle, Porter was vigilant and took no chances.

The liberty parties had been recalled from shore, the decks had been cleared, the gunners were sent to quarters with matches lighted, and the boarders were standing by the hammock nettings with cutlasses gripped.

Making the best of this unexpected turn of events, the English captain shouted a greeting to David Porter and politely conveyed his compliments, adding that his own ship was also ready for action.

So close were the two frigates at this moment that the jib-boom of the _Phoebe_ hung over the bulwarks of the _Essex_, and Porter called out sharply that if so much as a rope was touched he would reply with a broadside.