And so, for an hour longer, did the little American boat, with her one gun, her resolute young captain, and her brave crew, hold in check a force of five times her own; and not until a general recall was ordered did she leave her perilous position, and retire under the guns of the frigate.
As Somers was unexpectedly weakened, so Decatur was unexpectedly strengthened by James Decatur’s boat. Decatur, under sails and sweeps, and making for the nine gunboats advancing to meet him, saw Somers’s desperately gallant attempt, and, turning impetuously to his men, shouted:
“Do you see, men, how Somers has turned like a lion on a whole division of gunboats? We must do our best this day, or else Somers and his boat will reap all the glory!”
The Tripolitans advanced boldly, keeping up a hot fire of grape and musketry, which Decatur returned with interest. In the midst of the smoke from the vessels and the batteries the Tripolitans could not quite make out where the Americanos were; but suddenly a boat was laid alongside of the first Tripolitan gunboat, and Decatur’s voice was heard ringing out, “Board!” and then they knew indeed where the Americanos were.
The Turkish gunboat was divided into two parts by a long, open hatchway extending from her port to her starboard side. The Tripolitans, taken by surprise, rushed to the farther end of the hatchway, while Decatur, joined by his lieutenant, Thorn, and his favorite midshipman, Macdonough, made a dash for them. Now, these pirates were celebrated for their hand-to-hand fighting, at which they were considered almost invincible; but they could not withstand the steady charge of the Americans, and the boat was carried with the first rush. Scarcely were the Tripolitan colors hauled down and the captured boat taken in tow, when in the midst of the drifting smoke an American gunboat was found to have ranged up directly under the stern of Decatur’s boat.
“What is the matter?” shouted Decatur.
“Lieutenant Decatur is wounded!” answered Midshipman Morris, the one whose foot had first touched the Philadelphia’s deck. He was standing on the gunwale of the boat, and the instant Decatur saw his agitated face he knew that his brother was desperately injured.
“Severely wounded?” asked Decatur, turning pale.
“Yes, sir,” answered Morris in a low voice.
“Mortally?” asked Decatur.