At any rate they marched farther down the pier, where they could be nearer to the Havana as she backed away.

Then the troops fired a volley at the steamer; but in the darkness they did no serious injury to the party, though two seamen were slightly wounded.
"Cast off the fasts!" shouted Christy, when he realized that some of his men were in a fair way to be shot down before they could get the two schooners alongside and properly secured for the trip to the Bronx, and the order was promptly obeyed.

"Now, check her, Mr.Amblen;" and two bells were sounded on the gong, after one to stop her.
The second schooner kept on her course out into the bay to join the first one cast loose; but Christy feared that they might get aground, and give them trouble.

The seventeen soldiers whom he had counted in their bunks appeared to have been reinforced either by the return of the absent party, or by the civilians in the place, for they presented a more formidable front than the smaller number could make.

Whatever the number of the defenders of the place, they could harass the expedition while the men were preparing for the final departure.
"With what were those two guns charged, Mr.Flint ?" asked Christy.
"With solid shot, sir," replied the second lieutenant.
"Open fire on the wharf, and then load with the shrapnel," added Christy.
The two guns, which had been placed in proper position for use on the top-gallant forecastle, were aimed by Flint himself, and discharged.