There being no doubt of their hostile purpose, Captain Reid several times warned them off, but they paid no attention to him.

He then fired upon the boats, and a number of the crews were killed and wounded.

This was a sort of reception they had not counted upon, and the boats turned about and hastily rowed back to the flagship.
"We have got to fight," said Captain Reid to his men; "they will attack us again to-night, and things will be lively." There was no thought of surrender on the part of the Americans, though, as will be noted, they were threatened by a force more than twenty times as numerous as their own.

They sent their valuables ashore and disposed of everything, as if not a man expected to emerge from the fight alive.
All were cool and confident, and the dauntless courage of the commander inspired every one around him.
Night settled over the harbor, and by and by the sounds of oars showed the enemy were approaching again.

Through the gloom seven boats, containing two hundred men, loomed into view, coming straight for the _General Armstrong_.