Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-17

The fireship, as black as midnight, was
stationary on the water for a moment.
Somers, rising in his boat, uncovered
his head and every man in both
boats, understanding that he was
making a solemn prayer, removed his
hat and prayed likewise. Little Israel,
with his midshipman's cap in his hand,
stood up with his eyes fixed on the
stars overhead. He made his prayer
briefly but reverently, and then,
pointing to a brilliant group Of stars
that blazed with splendor far down on
the horizon, he said to Somers, with
a smile:
J 1.-The stars, I believe, mean glory.
That Is why we steer by them"
The breeze had then died out, and
the men took to their oars, which
were muffied. Like a black shadow
moving over the water the ketch ad-
vanced The darkness Of the night
favored their escaping the gunboats.
They crept past the rocks and reefs,
entered the western passage and were
|
lights of the town grew plain, and they
could still see the stars, although they
seemed to be alone in a world OF fog.
Suddenly and silently three shadows
loomed close upon them-one on each
side and one on their bows. The men,
without q word, seized the towline and
drew themselves noiselessly back to-
wards the ketch.
AS the two American boats disap-
peared like magic and as If they had
vanished from the face Of the water,
the Tripolitan gunboats closed up and
in another moment the Americans
found themselves surrounded on all
sides but one by the Corsairs, and that
ono side was next to the fireship. The
Tripolitans, with yell Of triumph,
prepared to spring over the side.
Are you ready to stand to your
word men?" asked Somers, standing
up in the boat with a lighted torch in
his hand.
AYE, aye; sir!" promptly answered
every man in both boats, laying down
his oars.
And II" said Pickle Israel, in his
sweet, shrill, boyish voice.
"Then may God bless our country
and have mercy on us!" said Somers
solemnly, throwing the torch upon the
Intrepid's deck.
The next moment came an explosion
as II the heavens and the earth were
coming together The castle rocked
upon its mighty base like a cradle.
The ships In the harbor shivered from
heel to main truck and many Of them
careened and almost went over. The
sky was lighted up with a red glare
that was seen for 100 miles and the
deafening crash reverberated and al
most deafened and paralyzed all who
heard 1t.
Those on the American ships heard
the frightful roar Of the 100 barrels Of
gunpowder that seemed to explode in
an instant Of time, and, stunned by the
concussion, they could only see mast
and sail of the ketch as they few blaz-
ing up to the lurid sky and then sank
in the more lurid water.
To this succeeded an appalling
blackness and stiffness. Every light on
the shipping and in the castle and In
the town had been extinguished by
the force Of the explosion. Not cry,
not groan was heard from the har-
bor, upon which the dense mist Of the
fog had again settled, but floating In
the dark bosom of the water were 13
blackened and lifeless bodies-13 brave
men, who had cheerfully rendered up
their lives when 1t was all they could
do for their country.
All night at intervals moaning
gun was heard from the frigate In the
vain hope that some Of those heroic
men might yet be living. All night
Decatur swung on the forechains Of
his ship, flashing lantern across the
water, and listening vainly and in
agony for some sound, some token,
from the friend he was never again to
see. But the gray dawn brought des-
pair to him. For Somers and his
brave companions had another morn
ing and another and more glorious
sunrise.
Thus ended the war, for shortly
thereafter the Tripolitans capitulated
opd tho Amarican captivaa wara re-