History of the Peloponnesian War

But the Mytilenaeans, being unprepared for war and forced to enter upon it without warning, merely sailed out a short distance beyond their harbour, as though offering battle; then, when they had been chased to shore by the Athenian ships, they made overtures to the generals, wishing, if possible, to secure some sort of reasonable terms and thus to get rid of the fleet for the present.

The Athenian commanders accepted their proposals, being themselves afraid that they were not strong enough to make war against all Lesbos.