The tops were to be utilized by sharpshooters in the coming fight, for to my delight I found a whole armoury stowed away on the foretop--muskets, pistols, cutlasses, and two sharp axes, with plenty of powder and ball.  Had I delayed my desperate plan much longer the top would have been filled with men.  I examined the muskets and the pistols and found them already loaded.  I next turned my attention to the deck of the pirate ship.  The guns’ crews were at their stations, and were either looking astern or else regarding my position. The captain and his scarred-faced lieutenant were almost speechless with rage, for they knew that for the time being I held the trump card.