From marlinspikes to pocketknives, every man held some sort of a weapon.

Garry Cochrane, flattening himself against the wall at one side, edged inch by inch toward Harrigan.
"I heard it all," said the Irishman, "and until the last word I thought you were a lot of bluffin' cowards." "You had your chance, Harrigan," said Hovey, "an' you turned me down.
Now you get what's due you." The sailors crouched a little as if at a command to leap forward in the attack.

Cochrane was perilously near.
"If I get my due," said Harrigan coolly, "you'll go down on your knees.
Stand back, Cochrane, or I'll brain ye! You'll go down on your knees an' thank God that I'm with ye!" "Stand fast, Garry!" ordered Hovey.

"What do you mean, Harrigan ?" The Irishman laughed.

Every son of Erin is an actor, and now Harrigan's laughter rang true.
"What should I mean except what I said ?" he answered.
"He's tryin' to save his head," broke in Kyle, "but with the fear of death lookin' him in the eye, any man would join us.