"I wisht I'd neber done come to de north pole!" groaned Washington. He
grabbed up a rifle and followed Andy outside. At the sight of them the
Esquimaux set up louder yells, and shot another shower of arrows.
Fortunately none of the missiles struck the white men.
"Stop firing!" said the professor, raising his hand. "We mean you no harm!"
His answer was a wilder burst of yells.
"Fire over their heads! Maybe that will teach them a little respect," spoke Andy.
He and Washington discharged their guns several times in rapid succession. With frightened yells the men in furs fell flat on their faces.
"We've scared them!" cried Andy.
But he reckoned without his host, for in an instant the Esquimaux had leaped to their feet and were rushing toward the ship.
"Here they come!" shouted the hunter. "Shoot to kill, Washington! Look out for yourself, Professor!"
"Don't kill them!" yelled Amos Henderson. "They are too many for us, and our only hope is to try peaceful means!"
But Washington aimed his rifle straight in the faces of the advancing men of the snow country and pulled the trigger rapidly. Half a dozen sharp reports rang out, and several Esquimaux fell on the ice, which became red with their blood. However, the negro's aim was not good, and the wounds were only in arms or legs of the natives.