Winston glanced at Mewes. "Go check it, John. See if it's usable."
"Aye." Mewes passed his musket to one of the French seamen and was gone.
"And that rusty pile of round shot I see down there by the breastwork? Is that the best you've got?"
"That's all we have on the Point. There's more shot at Jamestown and over at Oistins."
"No time." He motioned to Ruyters. "Remember our agreement last night?"
"Aye, and I suppose there's no choice. I couldn't make open sea in time now anyway." The Dutchman's eyes were rueful. "I'll have some round shot sent up first, and then start offloading my nine-pound demi-culverin."
"All we need now is enough shot to make them think we've got a decent battery up here. We can bring up more ordnance later."
"May I remind you," Bedford interjected, "we're not planning to start an all-out war. We just need time to try and talk reason with Parliament, to try and keep what we've got here."
Winston noticed Briggs and several members of the Council had convened in solemn conference. If an attack comes, he found himself wondering, which of them will be the first to side with Parliament's forces and betray the island?
"There's twenty budge-barrels, Cap'n." Mewes was returning. "I gave it a taste an' I'll wager it's dry and usable."