The Americans, however, were entirely undismayed by the odds
against them, and at seven o'clock Decatur went into the harbor
between the reef and shoal which formed its mouth. He steered on
steadily toward the Philadelphia, the breeze getting constantly
lighter, and by half-past nine was within two hundred yards of
the frigate. As they approached Decatur stood at the helm with
the pilot, only two or three men showing on deck and the rest of
the crew lying hidden under the bulwarks. In this way he drifted
to within nearly twenty yards of the Philadelphia. The suspicions
of the Tripolitans, however, were not aroused, and when they
hailed the Intrepid, the pilot answered that they had lost their
anchors in a gale, and asked that they might run a warp to the
frigate and ride by her. While the talk went on the Intrepid's
boat shoved off with the rope, and pulling to the fore-chains of
the Philadelphia, made the line fast. A few of the crew then
began to haul on the lines, and thus the Intrepid was drawn
gradually toward the frigate.

The suspicions of the Tripolitans were now at last awakened. They
raised the cry of "Americanos!" and ordered off the Intrepiid,
but it was too late. As the vessels came in contact, Decatur
sprang up the main chains of the Philadelphia, calling out the
order to board. He was rapidly followed by his officers and men,
and as they swarmed over the rails and came upon the deck, the
Tripolitan crew gathered, panic-stricken, in a confused mass on
the forecastle. Decatur waited a moment until his men were behind
him, and then, placing himself at their head, drew his sword and
rushed upon the Tripolitans. There was a very short struggle, and
the Tripolitans, crowded together, terrified and surprised, were
cut down or driven overboard. In five minutes the ship was