It was a six-pounder muzzle-loader.

Leonard unhooked the rammer and ran it down the muzzle.
"She is loaded," he said; "now let us swing her round." They did so easily enough, bringing the muzzle down upon the Nest camp; then they entered the little hut which stood alongside.

Piled up in it, in case of emergency, were half-a-dozen rounds of grape-shot and powder.
"Lots of ammunition, if we should want to use it," said Leonard.

"It never occurred to those gentlemen that a gun can shoot two ways.

And now, Otter, lead us to the slaves, quick." "This way, Baas, but first we must find the tools; they are in the guard-hut, I suppose." So they crept back to the hut, holding their heads as low as possible, for the light was increasing, although the moon was not yet up, and they feared lest they should be seen against the sky-line.