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272 as usual, not knowing, the port, was under blockade- but still- saw the vessels laying off the port- saw the vessels laying off the port- but at some distance from same- the steamers came down inshore, /both at the same time'/ and were going in as usual- when the squadron put after them, and tried to bring them to, by firing at them- still the steamers kept on- and the squadron too, the latter fireing shot all the while to stop them, and at the same time gaining on the Steamers,- still on they all kept- and soon came in sight of the Fort here, in which Alvarez Troops were stationed- and they, seeing these two steamers comeing in- and wishing to protect them, opened their fire upon the Squadron, in chase of the steamers- this brought the steamers, between, the two fires- and in rather a dangerous position- so much so, that one of the Steamers, the outside one, came about and put out again, thinking, no doubt the Fort too, had opened upon them- the other one kept her course and arrived up all safe.- while the other, at the same time got out safe, and went on down the coast,/,as they said here,/- we finished coaling about dark.- and got underway again about 9 Pm- and passed along