The urbane Captain Hillyar, perceiving his disadvantage, exclaimed, "I had no intention of coming so near you.

I am very sorry indeed." With that he moved his ship to a respectful distance.

Later he had a chat with Captain Porter ashore and, when asked if he intended to maintain the neutrality of the port, made haste to protest, "Sir, you have been so careful to observe the rules that I feel myself bound in honor to do the same." After a few days the _Phoebe_ and the _Cherub_ left the harbor and watchfully waited outside, enforcing a strict blockade and determined to render the _Essex_ harmless unless she should choose to sally out and fight.

David Porter was an intrepid but not a reckless sailor.

He had the faster frigate but he had unluckily changed her battery from the long guns to the more numerous but shorter range carronades.