e voyage was stormy and fatiguing. More than seventy men
were cooped up in the little ketch, which had quarters scarcely for a
score. The provisions which had been put aboard were in bad condition,
so that after the second day they had only bread and water upon which
to live. When they had reached the entrance to the harbor of Tripoli,
they were driven back by the fury of the gale, and forced to take
shelter in a neighboring cove. There they remained until the 15th,
repairing damages, and completing their preparations for the attack.

The weather having moderated, the two vessels left their place of
concealment, and shaped their course for Tripoli. On the way, Decatur
gave his forces careful instructions as to the method of attack. The
Americans were divided into several boarding parties, each with its
own officer and work. One party was to keep possession of the upper
deck, another was to carry the gun-deck, a third should drive the
enemy from the steerage, and so on. All were to carry pistols in their
belts; but the fighting, as far as possible, was to be done with
cutlasses, so that no noise might alarm the enemy in the batteries,
and the vessels in the port. One party was to hover near the
"Philadelphia" in a light boat, and kill all Tripolitans who might try
to escape to the shore by swimming. The watchword for the night was
"Philadelphia."

About noon, the "Intrepid" came in sight of the towers of Tripoli.
Both the ketch and the "Siren" had been so disguised that the enemy
could not recognize them, and they therefore stood boldly for the
harbor. As the wind was fresh, Decatur saw that he was likely to make
port before night; and he therefore dragged a cable and a number of
buckets astern to lessen his speed, fearing to take in sail, lest the
suspicions of the enemy should be aroused.

When within about five miles of the town, the "Philadelphia" became
visible. She floated lightly at her anchorage under the guns of two
heavy batteries. Behind her lay moored two Tripolitan cruisers, and
near by was a fleet of gunboats. It was a powerful stronghold into
which the Yankee blue-jackets were about to carry the torch.

About ten o'clock, the adventurers reached the harbor's mouth. The
wind had fallen so that the ketch was wafted slowly along over an
almost glassy sea. The "Siren" took up a position in the offing, while
the "Intrepid," with her devoted crew, steered straight for the
frigate. A new moon hung in the sky.