Next day the Captain of the Port came out with full powers to negotiate. The Americans presented their draft of a treaty. The Algerian objected to returning the property taken from the Americans enslaved by the pirates, saying that it had been distributed among many hands. Decatur replied: “As it was unjustly taken, it must be restored or paid for.” That settled this point, but when it came to relinquishing all tribute, the Algerian hesitated. Nor did he like to pay $10,000 to the owners of the Salem brig _Edwin_ that had been captured. He pleaded that the brig was taken under a previous dynasty, and told what a great man the present ruler, Omar the Terrible, was. But Decatur refused to concede a truce of even three hours, saying: [Illustration: Decatur and the Algerian.] “Not a minute! If your squadron appears before the treaty is actually signed by the Dey, and before the American prisoners are on board, I shall capture it.” In fact the only concession that Decatur would make was to agree to return the _Mashouda_. But this was not to appear in the treaty; it was to be as an act of grace on the part of the Americans. The Algerian hastened ashore with the treaty, after arranging that a white flag should be displayed in his boat on returning, in case the treaty was signed and the prisoners on board. An hour after the Algerian left, an Algerian man-of-war appeared in the east. The Americans cleared their ships for action, but before the squadron got fairly under way the Captain of the Port was seen coming with a white flag afloat. Everything had been conceded to the Americans. It is said that when the ten liberated captives arrived on board the _Guerrière_, some knelt down as soon as they reached the deck to give thanks to God, while others hastened to kiss the American flag that once more waved over them. And it is further said that the British consul stood by in the Dey’s palace while the Dey was signing the treaty with the United States, and ordering the money and the prisoners delivered. When all was done, the Dey’s prime-minister turned upon the British consul and said: “You told us that the Americans would be swept from the seas in six months by your navy, and now they make war upon us with some of your own vessels which they have taken.” The fate of the liberated captives was sad. They were placed on the _Epervier_ with the treaty, and she was sent under Lieutenant John Templer Shubrick to the United States. They sailed with happy hearts, after their cruel life as slaves, but the _Epervier_ never reached port nor ever was heard from after passing the Strait of Gibraltar.