Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-05

of gunboats. The American force or SIX
gunboats was divided into two divisions
of three boats each. The Trlpolltan meet
was in two divisions Of nine each. Deca-
of his boat with 1,O00 musket balls and
with this did great execution. He mad
captured one of the enemy and had the
prize in tow when he learned that MS
brother had been mortally wounded by
a Trpolitan commander who had struck
his flag and then shot young Decatur as
the youth stepped aboard.
Maddened by the news, Decatur went In
pursuit of the murderer. He reached the
vessel climbed aboard and sprang at the
leader, who was a man of gigantic size.
The two had duel such as had not been
seen in many days. Decatur, in thrustlng
at the corsair broke his cutlass at the
hilt. Twice Decatur was wounded before
he managed to close with the giant Then
they fell to the deck in death grapple.
Over and over they rolled, while all
around them men fought. soon the
strength of the Tripolitan and the wounds
of the American began TO tell. The Fri
polltan worked until he got Decatur under
him. Then, drawing a dagger from MS
sash, he lifted it to stab the American.
But Decatur caught the descending arm
and with his other hand he drew a. small
revolver ard reached around to the back
of the Tripolitan. Then he pulled the
trigger and a dead corsair lay upon him.
Decatur wrgeled from under the dead
man and was rising when another III
politan cut at his head with scimitar.
One of Decatur's men threw himself in
the way and took the blow on his own
head to save his captain.
X
Not a corsair was living on that boat
when the fight ended. o. the Americans
thirteen were wounded.
Never had the pirates been so roughly
handled as that day. Their whole fleet
was Captured or dispersed. Never again
would they meet Americans in hand-to-
hand encounters. The engagement has
been termed the biggest little fight in ms
tory
Throuehout the summer Decatur and
Somers, acting under Prebles orders. gave
no rest to the TripolitaDs. and then PreDle
rewarded Decatur with the command OF
the Constitution. No higher honor could
be shown him than command of the great
est ship in the navy, and he only twenty
five. When he returned to the United
States many banquets were given In ms
honor and Congress voted a sword to him.
Three days after the war of 1872 was
declared he, in command of the frlgate
United States, which he had helped to
build put to sea with the squadron OF
Commodore Rodgers. They captured only
a few merchant vessels on the cruise ana
then returned. October the squadron
was out again. This time Decatur parted
company with Rodgers and headed
straight for England. October % at day
light he sighted the Macedonian, one or
the newest and best equipped of Eng
lands warships. The United States was
bigger and had a heavier gunfire than
the Macedonian, but British frigate was
supposed to be able to handle anything
afoat. For several hours the two cap
tains Unanswered for position. At $50
the Macedonian opened fire at long range
without effect. The United States did not
respond until 9:4o The guns of the
United States did frightful havoc, and so
rapid were the discharges that the Brit