It was learned from various sources that reinforcements were pouring into Las Tunas from all directions; a newspaper from Sancti Spiritus stated that two thousand men had been despatched from the nearest trocha. It was determined to proceed during the night to Palo Alto, fifty miles to the eastward, the _Helena_ remaining at Las Tunas to confirm the Spaniards in the belief that an attempt was to be made to land there. _July 2._ At ten o’clock Saturday night, while the _Helena_ lay offshore, making lively play with her search-lights toward shore, the _Peoria_, the _Florida_, and the _Fanita_, with all lights out, slipped silently away. Palo Alto was reached at daybreak. There was not a Spaniard to be seen, and the men and cargo were put ashore without a single obstacle. [Illustration: GENERAL GOMEZ.] _July 4._ Gomez, with two thousand men, was known to be in the vicinity, and scouts hurried into his lines. On Monday the old warrior appeared in person at Palo Alto. _July 5._ A steamer was sighted about midnight by the U. S. S. _Hawk_, formerly the yacht _Hermione_, off the north coast of Pinar del Rio, steaming eastward, close inshore. She paid no attention to three shots across her bow, or a signal to heave to. The _Hawk_ then opened fire and gave chase. Twenty-five shots were fired, of which only three were without effect. The vessel was soon on fire, and flew signals of distress while making full speed head on to the beach. The _Hawk_ ceased firing, and manned a relief-boat just as the Spaniard ran high and dry on a reef, under cover of Fort Mariel. Though the Spaniard as yet had not fired a shot in response to the _Hawk’s_ attack, and was burning signals calling for help, the American relief-boat was received with a joint volley from both the sinking steamer and the neighbouring fort, turning her back, luckily unscathed, By this time daylight was breaking, and another Yankee ship, the gunboat _Castine_, hove in sight, reinforcing the _Hawk_. The two opened fire upon the Spanish vessel and fort. A well-directed 4-inch shell from the _Castine_ blew the steamer up. Most of the latter’s crew and passengers by this time had, however, escaped by rowing or swimming ashore. Just at sunrise, while the _Castine_ and _Hawk_ were reconnoitring in the vicinity of the wreck, a big Spanish gunboat hove in sight, training all her batteries on the two American boats. It was an exciting moment. The _Castine’s_ 4-inchers opened promptly, and the Spaniard returned at full speed to cover, under Morro Castle. The Spanish fleet, commanded by Admiral Camara, arrived at Suez, and was notified by the officials of the Egyptian government that it must leave the port within twenty-four hours. The government also notified Admiral Camara that he would not be allowed to coal.