"Up-na-tan like long guns," said one of the voices on the deck of the _Noank_. "Now! Coco swing him. No man help. One man swing. All 'tan back. Brack man try." He was asking a practical question as an experienced gunner. It was necessary to know whether or not the pivoting of that long, brass eighteen-pounder had been perfectly done for freedom of movement. In action there would be men enough to handle it, but even the work of many hands should not be impeded by overtight fittings and needless frictions. "Ugh! Good!" he exclaimed, as his black comrade turned the gun back and forth, and then he tried it himself. "Captain Avery, that's so, he can do it," remarked Guert Ten Eyck, thoughtfully, "but those two are made of iron and hickory. It isn't every fellow can do what they can." "No, I guess not," laughed Captain Avery. "I'm glad the old Buccaneers are pleased, though. There goes the redskin to the other guns. He can't find any fault with 'em. Not one of 'em's a short nose." Three on a side, polished to glittering, the long brass sixes slept upon their perfectly fitted carriages. Every one of them bore the mark of the _fleur de lis_, for they were of a pattern which the French royal foundries were turning out for the light cruisers of King Louis. Such of them as were already mounted in that manner were lazily waiting for a formal declaration of war with England. These here, however, and others like them, were already carrying on that very war. Before a great while, the entire French navy was to become auxiliary to that of the United States, and considerable French land forces were to march to victory shoulder to shoulder with the Continentals under General Washington. The sailor comrades of Up-na-tan and Coco were evidently well aware that the savage-looking couple had seen much sea service upon armed vessels. The less said about it the better, perhaps, but some of it had been upon British cruisers, in whatever manner it had been escaped from. Some of it had been, it was said, under a very different fighting flag. Their inspection of the broadside guns was therefore watched with interest. "Long!" said Up-na-tan. "Good. Shoot bullet far. Not big enough. Want nine-pounder. Old chief like big gun. Knock hole in ship. Sink her quick." "Take out cargo first," muttered Coco. "Then sink ship. Not lose cargo." "Jest so!" exclaimed Captain Avery. "That's what we'll do! Chief, I believe the frame of the _Noank_ is strong enough to carry a long thirty-two and six eighteens." "No!" replied the Indian, firmly. "Too much big gun 'poil schooner. No run fast any more."