"This must be some nasty superstition on their part; some of their religious nonsense." "Well, we shall have to defend ourselves," said Kit.
"Of course, we sha'n't let them board us," replied Wade.
"Poor fools!" continued Raed.

"It would be too bad if we have to kill any of them." "Can't we frighten them out of it in some way ?" I inquired.
"Might fire on them with the howitzer," Kit suggested, "with nothing but powder." "That would only make them bolder, when they saw that nothing came out of it," said Capt.

Mazard.
"Put in a ball, then," said Kit.
"That would be as bad as shooting them here alongside." "It might be fired so as not to be very likely to hit them," said Raed.

"Couldn't it, Wade ?" "Yes: might put in a small charge, and skip the ball, ricochet it along the water." "Let's try it," said Kit.
The howitzer was pushed across to the starboard side.
"Remember that there's a pretty heavy charge in there now," said Wade.
"Better send that over their heads!" The gun was accordingly elevated to near thirty degrees.

Raed then touched it off.