he 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.

This served to check their ardor for a while, and the advance was halted
while the wounded were carried back. But the Esquimaux were only made
more angry by the resistance. They came on again with wild cries and,
though Andy, Washington and the professor fought with all their
strength, clubbing their guns and cracking several of the savages over
the head, they were finally overpowered.

From one who seemed to be a leader of the natives several sharp orders
came. The others listened and then, lifting the three prisoners, who
had been securely bound, they hurried with them from the deck of the
ship.

"We's ketched agin!" cried Washington. "They'll eat us shuah dis time!
Land ob Goshen! How I does wish I'd neber come heah!"

There was little time for protest, reflection or anything else. Once the
Esquimaux had secured their prisoners they lost no time in hastening
away. The airship did not seem to interest them. Hoisting the three men
on shoulders, the natives fairly ran along over the ice.

"I wish they'd bring up a sled," said Andy. "It would be easier than
this style. The breath is 'most jolted out of me."

As if in answer to his desire, the party of Esquimaux soon came upon a
little camp. There were several ice huts, and a numb