nt, save for the use made of the ketch later.

The vessels of the blockading squadron, from their station outside the
bar, could see the captured "Philadelphia" riding lightly at her
moorings under the guns of the Tripolitan batteries. Her captors had
carefully repaired the injuries the Americans had inflicted upon the
vessel before surrendering. Her foremast was again in place, the holes
in her bottom were plugged, the scars of battle were effaced, and she
rode at anchor as pretty a frigate as ever delighted the eye of a tar.

From his captivity Bainbridge had written letters to Commodore Preble,
with postscripts written in lemon-juice, and illegible save when the
sheet of paper was exposed to the heat. In these postscripts he urged
the destruction of the "Philadelphia." Lieut. Stephen Decatur, in
command of the "Enterprise," eagerly seconded these proposals, and
proposed to cut into the port with the "Enterprise," and undertake the
destruction of the captured ship. Lieut.-Commander Stewart of the
"Nautilus" made the same proposition; but Preble rejected both, not
wishing to imperil a man-of-war on so hazardous an adventure.

The commodore, however, had a project of his own which he communicated
to Decatur, and in which that adventurous sailor heartily joined. This
plan was to convert the captured ketch into a man-of-war, man her with
volunteers, and with her attempt the perilous adventure of the
destruction of the "Philadelphia." The project once broached was
quickly carried into effect. The ketch was taken into the service, and
named the "Intrepid." News of the expedition spread throughout the
squadron, and many officers eagerly volunteered their services. When
the time was near at hand, Decatur called the crew of the "Enterprise"
together, told them of the plan of the proposed expedition, pointed
out its dangers, and called for volunteers. Every man and boy on the
vessel stepped forward, and begged to be taken. Decatur chose
sixty-two picked men, and was about to leave the deck, when his steps
were arrested by a young boy who begged hard to be taken.

"Why do you want to go, Jack?" asked the commodore.

"Well, sir," said Jack, "you see, I'd kinder like to see the country."

The oddity of the boy's reason struck Decatur's fancy, and he told
Jack to report with the rest.

On the night of Feb. 3, 1804, the "Intrepid," accompanied by the
"Siren," parted company with the rest of the fleet, and made for
Tripoli. Th