d fire
without waiting for a hail. The "Enterprise" took up a position
alongside, and at a distance of less than a pistol-shot. Broadside
succeeded broadside in rapid succession. The aim of the Americans was
better than that of the enemy, and the effect of their fire was
observable whenever the breeze cleared away the dense smoke that hid
the vessels from each other. But the ordnance of both was light, so
that the combat was greatly prolonged. The vessels were almost equally
matched; for the "Enterprise" carried twelve guns and ninety men,
while the Tripolitan mounted fourteen guns, and had a crew of
eighty-five men.

For two hours the battle continued, and the roar of the cannon and the
rattle of small-arms were incessant. The day was calm and clear, with
the still, warm air prevalent in the Mediterranean. Hardly was the
breeze strong enough to carry away the sulphurous cloud of smoke that
formed the one blot on the fair surface of the fairest of all seas. At
last the Americans noticed that the fire of the enemy had ceased.
Eagerly they peered through the smoke, and when the outline of their
adversary could be made out, three ringing cheers told that the
Tripolitan flag waved no longer in its place. Leaving their guns, the
Americans were preparing to board the prize, when they were astonished
to receive another broadside, and see the colors of their adversary
again hoisted.

With cries of rage the Yankee seamen again went to quarters; and, if
they had fought boldly before, they now fought viciously. They cared
little to take the prize: their chief end was to send her, and the
treacherous corsairs that manned her, to the bottom. The Tripolitans
in their turn exerted every energy to conquer. Bringing their vessel
alongside the "Enterprise," they strove repeatedly to board, only to
be beaten back again and again. Finally, after receiving two raking
broadsides from the "Enterprise," she again struck her flag.

This time Capt. Sterrett was in no haste to consider the combat ended.
Keeping his men at the guns, he ordered the Tripolitan to come under
the quarter of the "Enterprise." But no sooner had the enemy done so
than she renewed the conflict for the third time, by attempting to
board.

"No quarter for the treacherous dogs," was then the cry on the
American vessel. "Fight on, and send them to the bottom."

The rest of the battle was wholly in favor of the "Enterprise."
Several times she raked her antagonist, doing