On the Ocean 13 



then, putting her helm down, luffed up on her star 

 board bow, but 10 or 15 feet distant. Porter's 

 crew were all at quarters, the powder-boys with 

 slow matches ready to discharge the guns, the board 

 ers standing by, cutlass in hand, to board in the 

 smoke; everything was cleared for action on both 

 frigates. Captain Hilyar now probably saw that 

 there was no chance of carrying the Essex by sur 

 prise, and, standing on the after-gun, he inquired 

 after Captain Porter's health; the latter returned 

 the inquiry, but warned Hilyar not to fall foul. The 

 British captain then braced back his yards, remark 

 ing that if he did fall aboard it would be purely 

 accidental. "Well," said Porter, "you have no 

 business where you are; if you touch a rope-yarn 

 of this ship I shall board instantly." 14 The Phoebe, 

 in her then position, was completely at the mercy 

 of the American ships, and Hilyar, greatly agitated, 

 assured Porter that he meant nothing hostile; and 

 the Phoebe backed down, her yards passing over 

 those of the Essex without touching a rope, and 

 anchored half a mile astern. Shortly afterward the 

 two captains met on shore, when Hilyar thanked 

 Porter for his behavior, and, on his inquiry, assured 

 him that after thus owing his safety to the latter's 

 forbearance, Porter need be under no apprehension 

 as to his breaking the neutrality. 



14 "Life of Farragut," p. 33. 



