Close to his feet lay an empty water-cask.

It was a crude weapon, but effective when well pitched, and the sailor had never made a better shot for a goal in the midst of a hard-fought scrimmage than he made with that tub for the head of the uppermost pirate.
Another volley came from the sands.

A bullet ploughed through his hair, and sent his sou'wester flying.

Again the besiegers swarmed to the attack.

One way or the other, they must succeed.