throw overboard the lumber and heavy articles of every kind, cut
away the anchors... and throw over all the guns, except a few for our
defence.... As a last resource the foremast and main-topgallant mast
were cut away, but without any beneficial effect, and the ship remained
a perfect wreck, exposed to the constant fire of the gunboats, which
could not be returned."

The officers advised Bainbridge that the situation was becoming
intolerable and justified desperate measures. They had been raked by
a galling fire for more than four hours; they had tried every means of
floating the ship; humiliating as the alternative was, they saw no
other course than to strike the colors. All agreed, therefore, that
they should flood the magazine, scuttle the ship, and surrender to the
Tripolitan small craft which hovered around the doomed frigate like so
many vultures.

For the second time off this accursed coast Bainbridge hauled down his
colors. The crews of the Tripolitan gunboats swarmed aboard and set
about plundering right and left. Swords, epaulets, watches, money,
and clothing were stripped from the officers; and if the crew in the
forecastle suffered less it was because they had less to lose. Officers
and men were then tumbled into boats and taken ashore, half-naked and
humiliated beyond words. Escorted by the exultant rabble, these three
hundred luckless Americans were marched to the castle, where the
Pasha sat in state. His Highness was in excellent humor. Three hundred
Americans! He counted them, each worth hundreds of dollars. Allah was
good!

A long, weary bondage awaited the captives. The common seamen
were treated like galley slaves, but the officers were given some
consideration through the intercession of the Danish consul. Bainbridge
was even allowed to correspond with Commodore Preble, and by means of
invisible ink he transmitted many important messages which escaped the
watchful eyes of his captors. Depressed by his misfortune--for no one
then or afterwards held him responsible for the disaster--Bainbridge had
only one thought, and that was revenge. Day and night he brooded over
plans of escape and retribution.

As though to make the captive Americans drink the dregs of humiliation,
the Philadelphia was floated off the reef in a heavy sea and towed
safely into the harbor. The scuttling of the vessel had been hastily
contrived, and the jubilant Tripolitans succeeded in stopping her seams
before she could fill.