Besides the Long Tom forward, a vicious piece, two swivel guns were on each side, completely concealed by the thick bulwarks, and to be fired through ports, so ingeniously closed as to be imperceptible a few yards away.
All these pieces of ordnance were kept covered by tarpaulin so that at a little distance the _Namur of Rotterdam_ appeared like a peaceful Dutch trader.
There was a brass carronade at the stern in plain view, and so mounted as to be swung inboard in case of necessity.

Its ugly muzzle could thus rake the deck fore and aft, but the presence of such a piece would create no suspicion in those days when every ship was armed for defense, and consequently no effort was made for its concealment.

I was busily at work on this bit of ordnance, when Estada came on deck for a moment.

After staring aloft, and about the horizon into the impenetrable mist, he joined LeVere at the port rail in a short earnest conversation.

As the two worthies parted the fellow chanced to observe me.