Preble then told Lieutenant Decatur of the suggestion made by Bainbridge.

No sooner was the young lieutenant acquainted with the plan than he volunteered to lead in the perilous enterprise.

Nothing could have suited the daring fellow better.
Lieutenant Charles Stewart, who arrived a short time before in the _Siren_, not knowing of the scheme that had been formed, proposed with the _Siren's_ men to cut out the _Philadelphia_.

Preble informed him the honor had been given to Decatur.

Stewart was disappointed, but expressed his honest pleasure that the management of the affair was entrusted to such worthy hands.
"He is the best man that could have been selected," he said heartily, "and there isn't a shadow of doubt that he will succeed." Every one in the fleet was eager to volunteer, but Decatur selected sixty-two men, to which were added six officers from the _Enterprise_ and six from the _Constitution_, with a native pilot.