The British did not land; and the Americans, finding six kegs of powder, took the gun to a blacksmith, who drilled out the spike, and the action continued. So vigorous and well directed was the fire of the Americans, that the "Despatch" was forced to slip her cables and make off to a place of safety. That afternoon a truce was declared, which continued until eight the next morning. By that time, the Americans had assembled in sufficient force to defeat any landing party the enemy could send ashore. The bombardment of the town continued; but the aim of the British was so inconceivably poor, that, during the three days' firing, no damage was done by their shot. A more ludicrous fiasco could hardly be imagined, and the Americans were quick to see the comical side of the affair. Before departing, the British fired over fifteen tons of lead and iron into the town. A quantity of this was picked up by the Americans, and offered for sale. In a New York paper appeared the advertisement,-- "Just received, and offered for sale, about three tons of round shot, consisting of six, nine, twelve, eighteen, twenty-four, and thirty-two pounds; very handsome, being a small proportion of those which were fired from His Britannic Majesty's ships on the unoffending inhabitants of Stonington, in the recent _brilliant_ attack on that place. Likewise a few carcasses, in good order, weighing about two hundred pounds each. Apply," etc. A popular bard of the time set forth in rollicking verse the exploits of the British gunners:-- "They killed a goose, they killed a hen, Three hogs they wounded in a pen; They dashed away,--and pray what then? That was not taking Stonington. "The shells were thrown, the rockets flew; But not a shell of all they threw-- Though every house was full in view-- Could burn a house in Stonington."