On his return, Captain Porter had decided to go at once to some islands far out in the Pacific, where he could refit the _Essex_, and so they sailed in that direction, and when near the islands they were sighted by some of the natives who paddled out in a canoe to meet them, and eagerly invited the sailors ashore, promising them fruit and other provisions. The natives were indeed a strange sight to the eyes of the American boys, for their bodies were heavily tattooed, and gaily ornamented with feathers in true barbaric fashion, but they were very friendly and during the six weeks while the ship was being refitted, although the American sailors were given lessons daily by the chaplain of the _Essex_, when the lesson was over, they were allowed to mingle freely with the islanders, and Farragut learned many new things from them, things which were afterwards invaluable to him. To the islanders, swimming was as natural and as easy as walking, and although David never became as proficient in this as his new friends, still he learned to swim easily and fast, and too, they taught him how to walk on stilts, and how to use a spear with skill and ease, and in such sports and occupations, time passed quickly and the Americans were most regretful when the day came for them to say farewell to their island friends. But the _Essex_ was ready to sail for Valparaiso, so off they went and when they sailed away, young Farragut was almost as much developed in muscle, and as bronzed by the sun and wind, as were the friends he left behind him on that island to which he always looked back as an enchanted land. Two months later when the _Essex_ was lying quietly at anchor in the harbour of Valparaiso, and many of her crew happened to be on shore, two English war vessels bore swiftly down upon the _Essex_ in a very menacing way, and Captain Porter was afraid they would attack him, which they had no right to do, for Chili was not at war with either England or America, and so an American vessel should have been safe within that port. One of these English vessels was a frigate called _The Phoebe_ and the other a sloop named _The Cherub_. The _Phoebe_ passed within fifteen feet of the _Essex_, when Captain Porter, who was standing on deck, hailed her, saying: "If you touch a single yardarm I shall board you instantly!" The _Phoebe_ passed by without a reply and then both English vessels anchored at the entrance of the harbour, by doing which they kept the _Essex_ a prisoner. In this position the vessels remained for several weeks, when there was a tremendous gale, in which the cables of the _Essex_ gave way, and she at once began to drift towards the English ships. Captain Porter decided that this was his chance to escape, and setting all sail he made for the open sea.