Still there was no apparent motion.
"Miss number two," said I.
Kit then took a careful aim, and banged away.

The creature didn't stir.
"Number three," laughed Wade.
"That fish must either bear a charmed life, or else it's ball-proof!" Kit exclaimed.
Meanwhile "The Curlew" was being brought round.

The captain was getting interested.

Raed brought up one of our long cod-lines with the grapnel on it,--the same contrivance with which old Trull had drawn in the boat some days before; and, on getting back within twenty yards, he threw it off.

It struck into the water beyond, and, on being drawn in, played over the back of the leathern object till one of the hooks caught fast.