He had no intention of being driven off, and soon his own light guns were sending shell and solid shot toward the boats, which had relanded their troops on the other side, and which were now puffing up and down the river like the angry little demons they were, sending shells, solid shot, grape and canister into the woods and along the slopes where the horsemen had disappeared.
Harry and Dalton were glad to dismount and to get behind both the trees and the curve of the embankment.

Harry, despite a pretty full experience now, could not repress involuntary shivers as the deadly steel flew by.

He and Dalton had nothing to do but hold their horses and watch the combat, which they did with the keenest interest.
Stuart's cannon had unlimbered in a good place, where they were protected partly by a ridge, and their deep booming note soon showed the gunboats that they had an enemy worthy of their fire.

Dalton and Harry looked on with growing excitement.

Dalton, for once, grew garrulous, talking in an excited monotone.
"Look at that, Harry!" he cried.