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Octavian's friends advised him to improve this favorable opportunity and attack Pompeius with his fleet,while the latter had so few ships and before the rest of his naval force should arrive.He did not follow this advice,but waited for Calvisius,saying that it was not good policy to run a risk when he was expecting reinforcements.When Demochares arrived at Messana, Pompeius appointed him and Apollophanes admirals in place of Menodorus and Menecrates; and when Octavian heard of his disaster at Cumae he sailed out of the straits to meet Calvisius. After accomplishing the greater part of the distance, and while he was passing Stylis and turning into Scyllaeum, Pompeius darted out of Messana and fell upon his rear, pushed on to his front, attacked him all along the line, and challenged him to fight. Although beset in this way, Octavian's fleet did not give battle, since Octavian forbade it, either because he feared to fight in the straits or because he adhered to his first determination not to fight without Calvisius. By his orders, however, all hugged the shore, rode at anchor, and defended themselves with their prows toward the enemy. Demochares, by setting two of his ships by turns against one of the enemy's, threw them into confusion. They dashed against the rocks and against each other, and began to fill with water. And so these ships were lost, like those at Cumae, without striking a blow, being stuck fast and