"Mr.Flint, man your guns again at once, and drop some solid shot into those boats." The Havana continued to back till the guns would bear on the boats, and then Flint delivered his fire.

The headmost of the boats was smashed, and was a wreck on the bay.

The other hastened to pick up the crew, and then pulled for the shore with all possible speed, though not till two other boats, apparently filled with soldiers, were discovered approaching the retreating boat.
Christy did not wait to dispose of these, but mounted the top-gallant forecastle, and ordered the guns to be loaded with shells.

Then he waited till the steamer reached a point off the end of the peninsula, when he gave the order to stop and back her.

Sighting the first gun himself, he directed the man at the lockstring to fire.