Eaton’s patience, remarkable in a man of his irascible temper, many promises, and a few threats, kept the Crescent and the Cross moving on together in comparative peace until the 8th of April.  On that day and outbreak of ill-temper occurred so violent that the two parties nearly came to blows.  Turks were drawn up on one side, headed by Hamet,—­Americans on the other, with the Greeks and Levanters.  Swords were brandished and muskets pointed, and much abuse discharged.  Nothing but the good sense of one of the Pacha’s officers and Eaton’s cool determination prevented the expedition from destroying itself on the spot.

Peace was at last restored, and kept until the 15th, when the army reached the Gulf of Bomba.  In this bay, known to the ancients as the Gulf of Plataea, it is said that the Greeks landed who founded the colony of Cyrene.  Eaton had written to Captain Hull to meet him here with the Argus, and, relying upon her stores, had made this the place of fulfilment of many promises.  Unfortunately, no Argus was to be seen.  Sea and shore were as silent and deserted as when Battus the Dorian first saw the port from his penteconters, six hundred years or more before Christ.  A violent tumult arose.  The Arabs reproached the Americans bitterly for the imposture, and declared their intention of deserting the cause immediately.  Luckily, before these wild allies had departed, a sail appeared upon the horizon; they were persuaded to wait a short time longer.  It was the Argus.  Hull had seen the smoke of their fires and stood in.  He anchored before dark; provisions were sent on shore; and plenty in the camp restored quiet and discipline.

On the 23d they resumed their march, and on the 25th, at two in the afternoon, encamped upon a hill overlooking the town of Derne.  Deserters came in with the information that two-thirds of the inhabitants were in favor of Hamet; but that Hassan Bey, the Governor, with eight hundred fighting-men, was determined to defend the place; Jusuf had sent fifteen hundred men to his assistance, who were within three days’ march.  Hamet’s Arabs seized upon this opportunity to be alarmed.  It became necessary to promise the chiefs two thousand dollars before they would consent to take courage again.

Eaton reconnoitred the town.  He ascertained that a ten-inch howitzer on the terrace of the Governor’s house was all he had to fear in the way of artillery.  There were eight nine-pounders mounted on a bastion looking seaward, but useless against a land-attack.  Breastworks had been thrown up, and the walls of houses loopholed for musketry.

The next day, Eaton summoned Hassan to surrender the place to his legitimate sovereign, and offered to secure him his present position in case of immediate submission..  The flag was sent back with the answer, “My head or yours!” and the Bey followed up this Oriental message by offering six thousand dollars for Eaton’s head, and double the sum, if he were brought in alive.