He saw that the return fire from the fort was far inferior to that of the South Carolinians, and that it was doing no damage.
"Using their light guns only," he heard Colonel Talbot say during a momentary lull.

"They must be short of ammunition." The morning wore slowly on.

From every battery along the mainland and on the islands, the storm of projectiles yet beat upon Sumter, and, at intervals, the fort replied, still using the light guns.

Once Harry heard the whistle of a shell over his head, and he ducked automatically, while the others laughed.

Another time, a solid shot sent the dirt flying in all their faces, stinging like driven sand, but that was the nearest any missile ever came to them.
Beauregard, after a while, gave an order for the firing to cease, and the city and harbor rose again, clear and distinct, in the pale sunlight.