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Updated: May 26, 2025
Then Decatur's cry of "board" rang out, and with a quick rush, and the discharge of only a single gun, the decks were gained. The surprise was as perfect as the assault was rapid, and the Tripolitan crew, panic stricken, huddled like rats at bay awaiting the final dash.
When Captain Decatur in the leading boat came within range of the batteries, they and the gunboats opened fire. He returned it and pushed his way among the boats. At this juncture, Commodore Preble, fearing the results of Decatur's rashness, ordered the signal to be made for retreat.
The guns soon became heated and began to go off. They fired their hot shot into the shipping, and even into the town. Then, as if giving a last salute, the Philadelphia parted her cables, drifted ashore, and blew up. As a popular saying goes, "Nothing succeeds like success." So it was with Decatur's deed. His cool head and the fine discipline of his men won success.
The active Turk came again, and his second blow was only partly turned aside, the point of the pike tearing through Decatur's coat and inflicting a bad wound in his chest. Before the Turk could strike a third time, Decatur ran in, and the two instantly engaged in a fierce wrestling bout.
Thence they proceeded down the river, burning a few more craft on the way, and escaped safely to their ships; although a party of militia, and sailors and marines from Decatur's vessels, attempted to cut them off. Shortly after this occurrence, a fleet of American gunboats attacked the blockading squadron off New London, and succeeded in inflicting serious damages upon the enemy.
Rodgers had sailed again with his own squadron and Decatur's on October 8, the two separating on the 11th, though this was unknown to the British; and Bainbridge followed with the "Constitution" and "Hornet" on the 26th. Once away, power to arrest their depredations was almost wholly lost, through ignorance of their intentions.
What should be the attitude of the teacher of history toward Commodore Decatur's toast: "My country, may she always be in the right; but right or wrong, my country"? Cite recent history to prove that temperance and sanitation are necessary for the realization of national victories and the perpetuation of the common welfare. Is the "Golden Rule" a vital principle of patriotism? Why?
Without confusion the men obeyed. It was a moment of great danger, for fire was breaking out on all sides, and the Intrepid herself, filled as she was with powder and combustibles, was in great peril of sudden destruction. The rapidity of Decatur's movements, however, saved everything. The cables were cut, the sweeps got out, and the Intrepid drew rapidly away from the burning frigate.
Decatur's Maltese pilot, by his direction, replied they had lost their anchor in a gale of wind off the coast and were unable to do as commanded. When within fifty yards Decatur sent a small boat with a rope to make fast to the frigate's fore-chains. This was done and the Americans began warping the ketch alongside. Not until that moment did the Tripolitans suspect the character of the Intrepid.
"Dare I ask you to go with me, to-morrow?" "I don't know," said Fleda, with the old childish sparkle of her eye; "but if you ask me, Sir, I will go." He sat down beside her immediately, and Fleda knew, by his change of eye, that her former thought had been right. "Shall I see you at Mrs. Decatur's, to-morrow?" "No, Sir."
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