The approach of a steamer from the seaward when the work was about finished, caused them to hoist sail and stand in.

The steamer opened fire on the retreating sloop, but the shots fell short and her guns were answered by those on El Punte.

A few days after, they had the satisfaction of seeing two Chilean men-of-war expending thousands of dollars worth of ammunition at one of the empty kegs that had loosened from its anchorage and showed on the surface.

From that time, the little sloop was frequently made a target by the enemy's long range guns.

One day while Boyton was lying under the awning of the sloop, he heard a whizzing cannon ball strike the rocks above where they were anchored.