I aimed for his head, and let go.

The bullet clipped one of his ears merely, and he turned round with a dreadfully savage growl.

Of course it was a bad shot; but some allowance must be made for the rocking of the boat.

As he turned to us, the ice-cake tipped and rolled under him, nearly throwing him off; at which he growled and _barked out_ all the louder.

Kit hesitated to fire.
"He might make a break, and get his paws on to the boat before we could back off, if you shouldn't kill him," said Hobbs.
"Load as quick as you can, Wash," Kit said.