Jack was in the gig with the first lieutenant.
The order was given, and the boats started together towards the shore.
They had not gone fifty yards before there was a roar of cannon, succeeded by the whistle of shot.

Two masked batteries, one upon each side of the bay, and mounting each six guns, had opened upon them.

The cutter, commanded by the second lieutenant, was smashed by a round shot and instantly sunk.

A ball struck close to the stroke-oar of the gig, deluging its occupants with water and ricochetting over the gunwale of the boat, between the stroke-oar and Mr.Hethcote.Two shot hulled the "Falcon," and others whistled through her rigging.
"Pick up the crew of the cutter, Mr.Hethcote, and return on board at once," Captain Stuart shouted; the engines of the "Falcon" at once began to move, and the captain interposed the ship between the nearest battery and the boats, and a few seconds later her heavy guns, which had previously been got ready for action, opened upon the forts.

In two minutes the boats were alongside with all hands, save one of the cutter's crew who had been cut in two by the round shot.