great execution. Many
shots took effect between wind and water; and the cry arose on the
decks of the Tripolitan, that she was sinking. The "Enterprise" kept
at a safe distance, and by skilful sailing chose her own position, so
that she could pour in a deliberate and murderous fire. Bitterly were
the Tripolitans punished for their treachery. Their decks ran red with
blood, half of their officers were shot down, the cries of their
wounded rose shrill above the thunder of the cannon. Her flag was
struck, but to this the American gunners paid no heed. The repeated
treachery of the corsairs had left in the minds of the Yankee sailors
but one thought,--to send the ship to the bottom, and rid the ocean of
so pestiferous a craft.

But, enraged though they were, the Americans could not wholly cast
aside their feelings of humanity. Though they had been twice deceived,
they could not keep up their attack upon a vessel so sorely stricken
as to be unable to respond to their fire. And when at last the
commander of the Tripolitan, a venerable old man with a flowing beard,
appeared in the waist of the ship, sorely wounded, and, bowing
submissively, cast the colors of his vessel into the sea, then the
fire of the "Enterprise" ceased, although the usages of war would have
justified the Americans in exterminating their treacherous foe.

Having captured his enemy, Capt. Sterrett was in some uncertainty as
to what to do with it. The instructions under which he sailed gave him
no authority to take prizes. After some deliberation, he concluded to
rob the captured vessel, which proved to be the "Tripoli," of her
power for evil. Accordingly he sent Lieut. David Porter, the daring
naval officer of whose exploits we have already spoken in the
"Blue-Jackets of 1812," on board the prize, with instructions to
dismantle her. Porter carried out his instructions admirably. With
immense satisfaction the jackies he took with him forced the
Tripolitans to cut away their masts, throw overboard all their cannon,
cutlasses, pistols, and other arms; cut their sails to pieces; throw
all ammunition into the sea, and, to use a nautical expression, "strip
the ship to a girtline." One jury-mast and small sail alone was left.

Porter then pointed out to the crestfallen Tripolitan captain, Mahomet
Sons, that the "Enterprise" had not lost a man in the action, while of
the corsairs not less than fifty were either killed or wounded.

"Go," said he sternly to the