The Esquimaux, of course, heard the report; but I doubt if they saw or heard any thing of the ball.

It doubtless went a thousand feet over their heads; and just then, too, the _kayaks_ and _oomiaks_ came up where they were standing, and a great hubbub was occasioned by their arrival.
"Try 'em again!" exclaimed Donovan.
"Give them a skipping shot this time," said Wade.
A light charge of powder was then put in, with a ball, as before.

The gun was not elevated this time; indeed, I believe Raed depressed it a few degrees.

We watched with a great deal of curiosity, if nothing more, while Kit lighted a splint and touched the priming.

A sharp, light report; and, a second later, the ball struck on the water off four or five hundred yards, and ricochetted,--skip--skip--skip--skip--_spat_ into the loose shingle on the beach, making the small stones and gravel fly in all directions.