ns of joy until a surly guard
came and ordered them from the windows.

Far out to sea another band of watchers hailed the light of the
conflagration with joy. The "Siren" had gone into the offing when the
"Intrepid" entered the harbor, and there awaited with intense anxiety
the outcome of the adventure. After an hour's suspense, a rocket was
seen to mount into the sky, and burst over Tripoli. It was the signal
of success agreed upon. Boats were quickly lowered, and sent to the
harbor's mouth to meet and cover the retreat of the returning party.
Hardly had they left the side of the ship, when the red light in the
sky told that the "Philadelphia" was burning; and an hour later
Decatur himself sprang over the taffrail, and proudly announced his
victory.

Not a man had been lost in the whole affair. As the expedition had
been perfect in conception, so it was perfect in execution. The
adventure became the talk of all Europe. Lord Nelson, England's
greatest admiral, said of it, "It was the most bold and daring act of
the ages." And when the news reached the United States, Decatur,
despite his youth, was made a captain.

CHAPTER XVII.

A STIRRING YEAR. -- THE BOMBARDMENT OF TRIPOLI. -- DECATUR'S
HAND-TO-HAND FIGHT. -- LIEUT. TRIPPE'S BRAVERY. -- LIEUT.
SPENCE'S BOLD DEED. -- SOMERS'S NARROW ESCAPE. -- THE
FLOATING MINE. -- THE FATAL EXPLOSION. -- CLOSE OF THE WAR.
-- THE END.

Decatur's brilliant exploit set the key-note for the year 1804; and,
for the remainder of that year, the Americans carried on the war with
no less spirit and dash. A high degree of daring had been infused into
the men by so notable an example; and long before the year was out,
the blue-jackets began to consider themselves invincible, and were
ready to undertake any exploit for which their services might be
required.

The lesser events of the year, we must pass over hastily. The
maintenance of the blockade of Tripoli led to one or two slight
actions, and an occasional capture of little consequence. Thus, in
March, the "Siren" captured the "Transfer," privateer, which was
trying to run the blockade. A month or two later, a coasting felucca,
loaded with supplies, was chased ashore near Tripoli, and two boats'
crews were sent to take possession of her. The Tripolitans, as usual,
sent out a body of cavalry to protect the felucca, and the Americans
were driven off. Thereupon the American blockading squadron took up a