He speedily proved his physical superiority over Decatur, for he not only parried the lunge of the pike, but wrenched it from his hand.

He in turn drove his pike at Decatur's breast, but his blow was also parried, though its violence broke off the American's sword at the hilt.

The active Turk came again, and his second blow was only partly turned aside, the point of the pike tearing through Decatur's coat and inflicting a bad wound in his chest.
Before the Turk could strike a third time, Decatur ran in, and the two instantly engaged in a fierce wrestling bout.

The American was the most skilful, but by sheer strength his enormous antagonist threw him to the deck, and, gripping him by the throat with one hand, he reached down to draw a small curved knife, known as a yataghan.

It was behind the sash in his waist and directly in front.