Flint continued to fire into it.
At the report of the guns, nearly together, which made the Havana shake, and everything on board of her rattle, for she was not built to carry a battery of guns, another scream came forth from the companion way.
A moment later, Christy saw a female form ascending the stairs.

The sentinel placed his cutlass across the passage; but the lieutenant told him to let her come on deck if she desired to do so.
It was light enough for the gallant young officer to see that she was young and fair, though she had evidently dressed herself in great haste.
She looked around her with astonishment, perhaps to find that the steamer was no longer at the wharf.

The guns on the forecastle were again discharged, and she shrunk back at the sound.
"Do not be alarmed, miss," said Christy, in his gentlest tones.

"But I must say that you will be safer in the cabin than on deck." "Will you please to tell me what has happened, sir, or what is going to happen ?" asked the lady; and the listener thought he had never heard a sweeter voice, though he might not have thought so if he had heard it at Bonnydale, or anywhere else except in the midst of the din of pealing guns and the rattling of musketry.
"I can tell you what has happened; but as I am not a prophet, I cannot so accurately inform you in regard to what is going to happen," he replied.
"But what has occurred on board of the Havana ?" she interposed, rather impatiently.
"The Havana has been captured by an expedition, of which I have the honor to be in command, from the United States gunboat Bronx.

Just now we are defending ourselves from an attack of the soldiers in the place.
As to the future, miss, I have no reasonable doubt that we shall be able to get the steamer and two schooners we have also captured alongside the Bronx, where all the prizes will be subject to the order of her commander.