Decatur threw both legs over the back of the Turk and pressed him so close that he could not force his hand between their bodies to reach his weapon.

Decatur's pistol was at his hip.

He was able to withdraw it, and he then did the only thing that could possibly save his life, though the chances were that the act would hasten his death.
Reaching over the back of the Turk, he pointed the weapon downward toward his own breast and pulled the trigger.

In most cases the bullet would have passed through both bodies, but, fortunately, the ball encountered some obstruction and did not reach the imperiled American.
He shoved off the bulky form, which rolled over on its back, dead.
It must not be supposed that while this furious hand-to-hand encounter was under way the respective crews were idle.

They, too, were fighting fiercely, and, closing about the struggling commanders, each side endeavored to help its own.