from the city, and, loading with grape and canister, turned upon
their foes a murderous fire. Upon the eastern division of the enemy's
gunboats, nine in number, Decatur led the four boats under his
command. The advance of the enemy was checked; but still the Americans
pressed on, until fairly within the smoke of the Tripolitans' guns.
Here the boats were held in position by the brawny sailors at the
sweeps, while the gunners poured grape and canister into the enemy.
Fearfully were the Americans outnumbered. They could hope for no help
from their friends in the men-of-war in the rear. They were hemmed in
on all sides by hostile gunboats, more strongly manned, and heavier in
metal, than they. They were outnumbered three to one; for gunboat No.
3, which had belonged to Decatur's division, had drawn out of the
fight in obedience to a signal for recall, which had been displayed by
mistake on the "Constitution." Then Decatur displayed his desperate
courage. Signalling to his companions to close with their adversaries
and board, he laid his vessel alongside the nearest gunboat; and in a
trice every American of the crew was swarming over the enemy's
bulwarks. Taken by surprise, the Turks retreated. The gunboat was
divided down the centre by a long, narrow hatchway; and as the Yankees
came tumbling over the bulwarks, the Turks retreated to the farther
side. This gave Decatur time to rally his men; and, dividing them into
two parties, he sent one party around by the stern of the boat, while
he led a party around the bow. The Turks were dazed by the suddenness
of the attack, and cowed by the fearful effect of the Americans' last
volley before boarding. Their captain lay dead, with fourteen bullets
in his body. Many of the officers were wounded, and all the survivors
were penned into a narrow space by the two parties of blue-jackets.
The contest was short. Hampered by lack of room in which to wield
their weapons, the Turks were shot down or bayoneted. Many leaped over
the gunwale into the sea; many were thrown into the open hatchway; and
the remnant, throwing down their arms, pleaded piteously for quarter.
Decatur had no time to exult in his victory. Hastily securing his
prisoners below decks, and making his prize fast to his own vessel, he
bore down upon the Tripolitan next to leeward.

While shaping his course for this vessel, Decatur was arrested by a
hail from the gunboat which had been commanded by his brother James.
He was to