I don't think that's what the author's intent might be. I believe the 4 pounder would be firing grape shot, not a large singular shot. So, the author is inducin

I don't think that's what the author's intent might be. I believe the 4 pounder would be firing grape shot, not a large singular shot. So, the author is inducing you to picture that these, "cannons" shoot, not small bowling balls as you might imagine a normal cannonball to resemble, but a small sachet of marbles about the size of a juice box. One that fits in your pocket.