The report shook the steamer, and Christy, who retained his position on the quarter deck, heard a scream of terror, coming from a female, issue from the companion way, at the head of which a seaman had been placed as a sentinel over the officers below.
"What was that, Neal ?" asked the commander of the expedition.
"It was the scream of a lady, sir, and that is all I know about it," replied the man.

"I haven't seen any lady, sir, and I think she must have been asleep so far.

The captain tried to come on deck a while ago, but I sent him back, sir." By this time the two field pieces had been loaded again, and they were discharged.

Christy watched the effect, and he had the pleasure of seeing the whole troop on the wharf retire behind the great pile of bales of cotton.

A random fire was kept up from this defence, but the soldiers were safe behind their impenetrable breastwork.